Peace to all at St. Edward!
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord that we celebrate this weekend completes a full circle of faith for us. When the Son of God became incarnate in the womb of the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, the beginning of the restoration of humanity foretold by the prophets had begun. We recognize by faith the marriage of human nature with divine nature, the union of mankind with God in the person of Jesus who is fully God AND fully human. We know that Jesus’ mission was to reconcile mankind with God. We recognize the love and intimacy in the way God chose to do this—by becoming human. Because he loves us, God chose to become one with us. A more astonishing statement is to say that God chose to lift humanity up to share in his own divine life! The Ascension makes this wondrous assertion in a spectacular way. God was not satisfied that we should know Jesus as the one who suffered and died to take away our sins: Our Redeemer, Our Rescuer, Our Savior. This was not enough! Jesus raised his human body from the tomb of death and showed himself to the disciples as being alive! He reveals the resurrection to life. Now Jesus takes his human body to heaven where it is enthroned at the “right hand of the Father”! Just sit back and contemplate this event. Let the shock of God’s exaltation of human nature sink in to your heart and mind! Jesus raised human status from condemnation, to justification! Then more than being justified — above the choirs of angels, cherubim and seraphim, and archangels to enthronement at God’s right hand—above all and one with God! I hope that everyone can feel a new confidence in the love that God is extending to each person. Once this invitation is understood and accepted, no one will doubt or stand looking up into the sky. We will work together diligently to make disciples of all nations, bringing them to the waters of regeneration in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This is an amazing rebirth and joy! It is time to pray for the outpouring of the Spirit that we may be builders of the great and eternal kingdom! God bless you all! +++ Fr. Peter