Jesus’ Power and Presence

05-17-2020Weekly Reflection

In the Gospel of the Ascension, Jesus empowers His disciples: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations… Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt. 28:1820) Jesus assures us of His power and presence.

In a world where unlimited calls, texts, data, refills, offers, etc. is better: There is an unlimited that is very dangerous, because there is no such thing as unlimited power in this world. Everything and everyone will eventually expire. Ascension did not leave the disciples orphaned, all He asked was to TRUST in Him. People, leaders all come and go, all worldly powers will come to an end, thus, we must all hold on to a power that is constant, strong and unchanging. In the Gospel, Jesus revealed to His disciple that His Father entrusted this kind of power to Him, and He in turn is entrusting this power to them.

He commissioned His disciples to proclaim the Good News. Jn. 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life…" Jesus' truth must be proclaimed: For some, this may be an inconvenient truth. But the truth if it is the truth should be proclaimed as it is, without coating or icings. With the advent of social media, we easily and readily can proclaim or share our faith with all peoples, especially to those who are lonely, hurting and feel unloved. Be proclaimers of Good news! One way we can be proclaimers of Good news is to be more positive in life and try not to magnify our troubles, which often are nothing compared to the troubles and problems of other people around us.

Ascend out from our pettiness, quick temper and quick judgement. This month of May, our model is the Blessing Mother, simple, quick to forgive and understand, and the purest love that we will ever know. Develop a devotion to our Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. But a word of caution, as they say: Our devotions and prayers are empty if they do not make us better persons.

A priest once challenged His prayer group to pray the rosary with outstretched hands. It was all right for a while, until it became heavy, especially for those who had excess weights and excess jewelry! Lesson: Avoid excess in whatever form and in whatever way. Travel light, excess baggage is not allowed in our Ascension.

Do you believe of power and presence of God? Remember: “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). God is in control, and God is present with us through it all. Remember, whatever you are going through, whatever is ahead of you, Jesus is always with us. He is the Good Shepherd who stay ahead of His flock and leads them.

“Peace is yours when you have laid all things at His feet; when you have entrusted all things to His keeping; when you have released all things into His care; then peace that surpasses all understanding will rule in your heart.” Peace be with you!

Jesus, may I feel Your power and presence, especially in the most difficult moments of my life’s journey