"It is good that I go away..."
This past Thursday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension. We heard how Jesus gathered his disciples one last time to tell them to go out into the world and proclaim his message. And then he went away. He left the world. He’s back in heaven. In fact Jesus said it was better for us if he left.
How can that be? It sort of makes us feel like orphans doesn’t it? “Jesus we were just getting the hang of it, just starting to understand. You had to die in fulfillment of God’s will so that you would then be raised from the dead. Truly, you are the Son of God. We get it.”
“But now you’re leaving us. Stay with us Lord. Give us your voice to hear. Show us what we must do each day. Lead us into victory Lord. Perform miracles . . . cure cancer, prevent global warming, feed the starving, put an end to war, bring freedom to all people. Don’t go Lord, we need you here!”
So how is it better that Jesus leaves us? May I suggest a couple reasons?
1. So we might participate in his mission as equal partners. Jesus calls us his friends, not his children. And as good friends, he entrusts himself to us to represent him in the world. If he remained physically here with us, he’d do all the work. We’d be calling on him to do all the problem solving. He wants us to be co-workers, esteemed colleagues.
2. His light would shine so brightly as to obscure the light we all carry in us by virtue of our own baptism. The world would only listen to him, not to you or me or the pope or anybody. We’d all sort of disappear.
3. He desires that we each come to full stature, mature in the Faith; ready to offer our lives, not as children, but as loving self directed adults. . . . our own person, in love with God. It’s like a child that has to move away from his father to discover who he is. Jesus wants us to discover who we are. So he goes away.
4. If he didn’t go away then the Holy Spirit wouldn’t come. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is “The Voice of Christ” given to each of us to guide and strengthen and teach. We wouldn’t heed that voice in us if all we had to do is turn on the Jesus Channel to see him on TV.
5. If he were still here physically, then when he was in Rome he couldn’t be in Rochester!! But now that the Holy Spirit is here Jesus can be with all of the believers - - - personally.
“So it is good for you that I go.” Says the Lord. And now . . . Come Holy Spirit!!
A blessed week ahead.
Fr. Tim
