Make your home in me as I make mine in you

Listening to the Spirit

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, right before your Ascension into heaven you told your apostles to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth upon receiving the Holy Spirit. May I be similarly inspired to spread your Gospel message in word and deed, according to your will for me. And may I do so prudently and joyfully, with your help, your guidance, and your grace! And remembering this glorious event, help me to seek what is above, Heaven, where you are seated at the right hand of God the Father!

Listening to the Word

Luke 24:46-53

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high."

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Reflection

A little girl walked with her mother in a garden. While the mother was taking pictures, the little girl said, Mommy, I want to become an eagle so that I can fly high and go to many places. Then, the mother gently said to her, if you want to become an eagle, I want to become a tree so that when you get tired of flying, you can take a rest in me.

This simple story reminds us that at the end of our day we need a home. It is in the house we feel free and secure. There is a saying in Filipino, “Mabuti na sa akin ang bahay kahit kubo kung nakatira ay tao kaysa bahay na bato na ang nakatira naman ay kuwago. (Better for me a lowly hut that is a home to human beings than a proud stone castle that has only owls for its dwellers). Not every house is a home. We are longing for a home where we feel at home and loved.

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Jesus returned to His Father. He returns home. But, before Jesus ascended, he said to his disciples, “And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Jesus asks them to stay, to wait, to rest and to make a home for the Spirit who is about to come. It reminds us to another occasion when Jesus said, “make your home in me as I make mine in you.” And this is only our desire to feel at home. And only God can offer this to us. St. Augustine beautifully describe it, “our hearts are restless until we find our rest in you, o God.”

Indeed, our hearts are the temple of the Holy Spirit. As we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, let us stay and let Jesus bless us. Let us look up not to the sky but look up to Him and receive His blessing. Let his hands of blessing reach us. And let us become a blessing for others so that His name will be known to all the nations.