[Just a note. Now that Microsoft has made it impossible to edit videos in less than 2 hours, I’ll just be posting my columns and textual summaries of the homilies. If you want to seethe vid, go to our parish FB Page: www..facebook.com/stpatsak/ . Sorry for the inconvenience. – Fr. Leo]
While I am very rooted in the sacred Tradition of the Church, I’m not what many would call a “traditionalist.” Still, I wince a little bit when we celebrate the Ascension, not on Ascension Thursday, but on the following Sunday. There are many good reasons for doing so. Foremost is that since it is on a Sunday, more people can celebrate this very important Solemnity in the Church. There’s a lot going on at the Ascension.
First, why did Jesus ascend? Why didn’t he just stick around in his resurrected body up to the present day? Wouldn’t that make the resurrection a bit more credible? At first glance, I suppose that it would, but it would also severely limit the scope of his ministry and the ministry of the Church. Think about it. If the resurrected Jesus was walking the face of the earth today, where would you want to be right now?
How much better that Christ has found a way to be truly and substantially present in all times and to all people through his Body, the Church. Remember, Christ did not leave us a book, he left us a Church. There is no separation between the head and the body. The same Spirit that animates the life of Christ animates the life of the Church. While this is true in the life of every Christian, it is especially true when we gather in the Sacred Assembly for the Eucharist. To commune with Our Lord, all who have gone before us in faith, and with one another is the most profound prayer there is.
Finally, think about the implications for all humanity that Christ, who is truly human and truly divine, returns to the Father. There is no separation between the head and the body. Where Christ goes, we go. The relationship between God and humanity could not get any more intimate. No wonder Leo the Great exclaimed to the newly baptized in Rome, “Christian, remember your dignity!” May we carry that dignity unstained into the world and into eternity.