The Ascension of Our Lord

 The Ascension of Our Lord is upon us!  Is Easter really wrapping up its season already?  It has definitely been a time of rejoicing, and entrustment to the Merciful Love of God, for me.  He is so loving!  

As we watch on with the disciples as Jesus rises to the heavens, sometimes I feel like whispering to Him in my own life: please, don't leave me!  I have been through this process when making one of my first lectio divinas with this scene.  It took some time to think about, but also to realize that in reality He never left me.  

Did He not send the Holy Spirit?  And don't I have a personal relationship with this divine lover?  

So no, He never left me!  He is my redeemer and lover, and I don't have to feel like I'm "leaving him" either.  

Lord Jesus, help us be present to You, as You are always present to us!

God be Praised!  Let us move forward, with Him!

Praying With the Gospel

 "'If you know me, then you will also know my Father.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.'" (John 14:7). There is more that is said in this conversation, but this statement from Jesus is what I would like to reflect on today.

Sometimes, even I wonder if I truly know the love of God.  I hear different bible passages and stories throughout the liturgical years, and seek out the Truth of Who He says He is.  Not only does this help me get to know Him, it also reveals what kind of relationship I can have with Him.  

Is He happy with me?

Will He forgive me for such-and-such a shortcoming?

Is He angry with me?

Then here, in this very cited passage of the gospel, Jesus shows his attributes to also be God's attributes.  So why do I wonder or even fall short of grasping, Who He is?  Is this not the reality of the Trinity?  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as One?  

So Jesus is the revelation of God, as St. Paul also says, Who really is not a mystery, and I can regain the confidence I can have in Him, because He does look on me with love!  He does die for me!  He does forgive me!  

Lord, help me to regain this knowledge of You, and trust in Who You say You Are.

Loved and Claimed

 The days are getting warmer, and so are our hearts.

As we continue to revisit the empty tomb, and realize... He is risen!

There is no need to doubt or despair, because we have a healer, a lover, a redeemer,

And He says "You are mine!"  

It is time to trust, if we have not yet, and say "Yes, I am Yours oh Jesus!"

So we renew our contrition, we receive the Living Bread, 

And let life change for the better, because we are loved and claimed, 

If we but let Him in.