Friars Corner: Jesus returning to heaven gives us hope

Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR

Seventh Sunday after Easter: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26; Psalms 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20; 1 John 4:11-16, John 17:11b-19

Since the second Sunday after Easter (Mercy Sunday, as Jesus called it) we have been journeying  through St. John’s gospel. The first 12 chapters are the book of signs. The second part is the book of glory, 13-21. The last section mostly deals with Jesus’ last instructions to his closest followers and those chosen to continue Christ’s work to all people. Jesus is preparing them for his return to the Father. Jesus tells them to wait in Jerusalem until they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit for ministry and evangelization of the entire world.

The symbolism is striking. Jesus is the new Moses. His commission teaches us how to love God with our whole being and to love others as we love ourselves. Judaism had 12 tribes and in God’s kingdom we have twelve Apostles. We see the old Jewish nation and the New Kingdom of God. Twelve times ten gives us 120, which expands to a symbolic fullness number for the new kingdom.

Mission

The mission of the Apostles and disciples was to be faithful followers of Jesus and to be empowered by the anointing of the Holy Spirit to tell others about Jesus and his mission. His mission is also our mission by our baptismal washing. Jesus invites us to come and see, get instructed and then go and tell.

The Acts of the Apostles tells us that after the Ascension the community went back to Jerusalem to spend nine days in prayer. They also had to elect one member who had been part of Jesus’ ministry from the beginning to replace Judas so their number would be back to twelve.

We have seen and still see so many who were baptized and yet leave God’s kingdom. Many of us ask, why? I strongly believe that they have not met and do not understand Jesus.

Gazing at Jesus

I spend some time in extended prayer before I write these reflections. I spend some time looking into the eyes of the most powerful picture of Jesus I have ever seen. I received it from parishioners praying for me during the year of the priests when I was in Dallas, TX. I have mentioned it before. Go on the web to look for “thetruefaceofJesus.com.” You can get a copy for yourself and read the artist’s story.

I gaze into the eyes of Jesus and get lost. I don’t want to leave that prayer time. I get, and we can get daily radiation with the love of Jesus. Then we can respond, “Jesus, I love you.” Then we can ask each member of the Holy Trinity to increase our understanding of each one. “Jesus, I want to know and love you more.”

You get filled up with more of their love and understanding. You then begin to glow with more love. As we go out from our prayer place we radiate God’s love to others. As we do this we draw others back into the church. Can you invite them back to church and the greatest meal on earth, “our daily bread,” in the Eucharist?

Breakfast with Jesus

I love having “breakfast” with Jesus. I saw a middle-aged man with long hair and a full beard. He was baptized in the Catholic church yet for some reason after the divorce of his parents, he left the church. Again this morning during breakfast in McDonald’s, I invited him back to the greatest meal on earth. As you are radiated with Jesus’ love, invite others back to such a great meal.

Today is Mother’s Day, so we want to pray and thank our mother’s for saying yes to life and giving birth to us. Do something special for your mother. If she has passed for earth, continue to pray for her.

Have a great week as we continue our novena to the Holy Spirit. I pray for a great awakening of your faith in such a loving Savior. Come, Holy Spirit, fill us with more of your love and gifts.

Blessings,

• Fr. Bob Hilz
  (© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)