Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Here are the readings for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord , May 12, 2013:

Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-9
Ephesians 1: 17-23
Acts of the Apostles 1: 1-11
-or- Hebrews 9: 24-28, 10:19-23
Luke 24: 46-53

The feast that we celebrate this Sunday used to be known as "Ascension Thursday".  It was a "Holy Day of Obligation", occurring 40 days after Easter. Some years ago, the Bishops were allowed to decide whether to transfer this Solemnity to what had been the Seventh Sunday of Easter or keep it on Thursday. The vast majority decided that they wanted as many people as possible to celebrate this feast, so they transferred it to the Sunday (it remains a Holy Day of Obligation on Thursday mostly in Northeastern Dioceses of the US (and Nebraska, and in Vatican City (but not Rome!)).

Now, some people will 'tsk-tsk' and say that it is a matter of bishops caving in to lazy Catholics who don't want to be bothered with getting themselves to Mass in the middle of the week.  Let me suggest that it was a practical recognition of the realities of modern life. Realities like longer work commutes that pull us far from our home parishes, pressures for overtime or short/non-existent lunches that make getting to the Masses (which sometimes are not scheduled with these challenges in mind) unrealistic for many well-intentioned Catholics. Oh yes, and those who are too tired or lazy to get off the couch, put down the x-box and worship God, they/we exist, too.

Before we get too worked up about how lax Catholic practice has become, it may be helpful to remember the realities of prior centuries. Forty-hour work weeks, sick days and vacation time are modern inventions. For most of our history, working 6 days a week was the norm, year-round. Insisting on a Sabbath, a day of rest, was a way to ensure that people would have a chance to take a breath and recharge on a regular basis. And adding in "Holy Days of Obligation", and other seasonal feasts ('rogation days') were other opportunities scattered throughout the year when people would be granted a holiday, one that included worship, of course.  We no longer live in those conditions (either the lack of free time or Christianity being the official state religion) ... so naturally our practices have evolved as well.  Please don't misunderstand me- I fully encourage us all to fully celebrate Holy Days of Obligation (which include every Sunday, by the way).... it just helps, I think, to understand where they came from.

But- back to the Solemnity of the Ascension! The first reading is from the very beginning of the Acts of the Apostles, and Luke takes up where he left off in his Gospel. And he addresses this book to "Theophilus", a name that means 'one who loves God' ... while it may be a specific person, it is far more likely that Luke is writing, hopefully, to each one of us. By his words, he encourages us to fall deeper in love with God, who is so very in love with us!

In these powerful last weeks of the Easter Season, as we contemplate the bodily departure of Jesus from the earth in preparation for the Spiritual presence for all, through all time, I invite you to find some quiet time to talk with God (and listen, too!) about your love. To articulate your joys, fears, insights and challenges. And to ask for the particular grace (or the knowledge to now what that should be!) to help you live as "Theophilus" would.

There is no Mystagogia session this Sunday.