What is the real meaning of our Lord’s ascension into heaven? He became man by the power of the Holy Spirit through Mary, and by His ascension, He ended His bodily presence on earth.
But even though Christ is no longer physically present on earth, He is still here. He said, “Whatever you do to the least of My brothers, you do unto Me,” and, “Whenever you gather in My name, I am in your midst.” In the consecration of the Eucharist, when the priest pronounces, “This is my Body, this is my Blood,” indeed, the host and wine become Christ’s Body and Blood.
The Feast of the Ascension of the Lord bears this paradox: that the Lord has left and gone up to heaven, yet remains with us. What does this mean? It means that life must come to an end. In the same manner that the body of our Lord Jesus Christ expired, so will ours. But, just as He ascended to heaven, so will we. But since everything comes to an end, whatever good we can do, let us do today.
If you have to apologize or forgive someone, do it now. If you need to love and give thanks to someone, do it now, for tomorrow may never come. I believe more souls go to hell, not because they are bad, but because they defer doing good deeds. We have to do our good deeds now, because no one among us can tell whether we will be here tomorrow.
There was once a man who wanted to be remembered by his fellowmen. He wrote his name on the sand but it was washed away by the waves. He wrote his name on a tree but it was erased by its sap. He wrote his name on a stone, but it was crushed. The Lord appeared to him and said, “How foolish you are for writing your name in the sand, tree and stone. Instead, write your name in the hearts of your fellowmen and you will be remembered forever.”
Is your name inscribed on the heart of your loved one? Have you done enough good deeds to show it? If you’ve done nothing, you may not be able to do it tomorrow. Let us do the good things we can do today, not tomorrow.
HE IS GONE…HE IS WITH US
Acts 1:9-11
Jesus In My Heart
