In the end: Heaven

Listening to the Spirit

Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God,
and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,
for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation,
and, where the Head has gone before in glory,
the Body is called to follow in hope.

AMEN

Listening to the Word

Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Reflection

One day, ‘Kuya Kawawa’ went to an ATM. In his hand, there was his credit card. Unfortunately, a lot of people in the ATM. Although there was a long line, because he needed money, he took the line. He stood in the queue for more than one hour.

When his turn almost came, there was a problem; there was no money anymore in the ATM. The security guard said, “Sorry sir, no more money in this ATM po!”

‘Kuya Kawawa’ was so angry. He was standing for a long time and in the end, he couldn’t withdraw his money. A long process, but in the end: nothing, walang kabuluhan.

Sisters and Brothers in Christ, as Christian our experience will be different. For us, in the end: heaven.

Today we celebrate the ascension. In my meditation, “Ascension is not making Jesus far away from us, but to make sure the end of our journey, together with God our Father in heaven.”

We need to understand that our true destiny is heaven. Our life in this world is temporary. Our journey on earth is very short. Psalm 90 said, “The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong.” We are just pilgrims. The goal or destiny is heaven. In the end is heaven. And it is for eternity, forever.

Catechism Catholic Church number 661 mentions that “Only the one who "came from the Father" can return to the Father: Christ Jesus. "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man." Left to its own natural powers humanity does not have access to the "Father's house", to God's life and happiness. Only Christ can open to man such access that we, his members, might have confidence that we too shall go where he, our Head, and our Source, has preceded us.”

Our Father in heaven, thank you. You have given us Jesus, your Son who leads us to You, to heaven. Amen