Today's gospel reading draws our attention to the upcoming celebration of the Ascension. The Risen One prepares the hearts of his followers for the greatest challenge to their infant faith. In just a short time the work "disciple" will take on a new meaning. When Jesus ascends from the surface of the earth, no longer are those followers of Jesus men and women who have the key to their new found faith with them. The man who spoke to them words of support and guidance would no longer walk with them, no longer share meals with them, no longer be strength for them in teaching others the Way that would lead to the Father. Now their spiritual journey would be different.What does this experience of the Church in its infancy days speak to us in our world? What is there in our lives now that speaks of a similar sense of challenge? How ready were these "founding fathers and mothers of our Church" to proclaim the great "message" without the Teacher present?
The Son of Man has been physically absent from us for almost twenty centuries. But in that time, especially through the gift that never stops giving, the Holy Spirit, Jesus continues to teach us through the writings of saints, the writings and preaching of saints and sinners alike and the teachings of our Church.
Because there is the physical absence of Jesus, Son of God, among us, it is critically important that we maintain a steady diet of a genuine spiritual life through regular prayer as well as the exercise of spiritual reading. We can feed on prayer and spiritual reading without gaining an ounce!
The early challenge put before the first apostles and disciples has not changed. Like our early predecessors, we are challenged to live the message, live the teachings of Jesus. To live the gospel is to reach out, like Jesus, to help others. For our outreach to the needy, the hurting, the confused, the angry is to be a true following in the footsteps of Jesus. While now forever physically absent, Jesus has taught that his absence is actually only a reality when we fail to be with him in prayer, reflection, service and most specially in the Eucharist where is is so present to us.
