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The fact of the matter

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Holy days/feasts: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Readings: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11; Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23; Luke 24:46-53 “MATTER IS ANYTHING that has mass and takes up space.” We learn that fundamental definition of the physical universe in grade school. For those of us who like to keep up on the latest scientific discoveries, we also know that matter has yet to be completely defined. First we thought all matter was made up of molecules; then atoms; then particles; then protons, neutrons, and electrons; and now it’s down to quarks, leptons, and neutrinos. Scientists keep hoping they’ve reached the smallest, most elementary particle, but somehow they’re able to divide matter just once more. As for the origins of all this matter floating around in space, physicists are now leaning toward a theory of the universe that doesn’t include a big bang, but merely a was-is-and-always-shall-be theory of matter. I happen to like that theory. It sounds a lot like god-talk (“Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”), and it helps me understand Jesus’ ascension. Here’s why: Matter, which we theists believe is of God’s making and we Christians believe is good because it issues from God—in fact, is glorified by God through Jesus—has apparently been around forever and will continue to be around forever, according to current scientific theory. That sounds to me like scientists have made a pretty strong case for what Jesus was trying to tell us all along: That God has always existed and will continue to exist forever, and that human beings have their origins and destiny in this ever-existing God. In other words, we come from God and are meant to return to God. If we honor our divine natures and live true to ourselves, we will live forever, but first we must die. Death, as Jesus taught us, is the first step toward transformation to new and glorified life." If we honor our divine natures and live true to ourselves, we will live forever, but first we must die. Death, as Jesus taught us, is the first step toward transformation to new and glorified life. Think of the small deaths we each endure daily that continue to transform us—watching ourselves age and our children grow; admitting our faults and accepting forgiveness; facing our limitations and receiving help. Surely death, as the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin noted, can be looked on as a friend. Self-destruction, on the other hand, is what happens if we deny our divinely inspired humanity. Scientists might call this becoming our “anti-selves”—our complete opposites, which can negate who we are or who God wants us to be. As physicist Stephen Hawking warns in A Brief History of Time, “If you meet your anti-self, don’t shake hands! You would both vanish in a great flash of light.” Jesus' death led to his resurrection and then ascension. The ascension is the pièce de resistance in Jesus’ banquet of hope. First through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus proves to us that our lives—with all the hurts, disappointments, and injustices—are not in vain. Then through his ascension we are given the promise that our lives, minus the heartache, will never end. Our beings, Jesus assures us, are so connected with the make-up and maker of the universe that if we follow God’s path of love and justice, we, too, will ascend into the mystery of the universe and be enfolded in the love of our everlasting God. Because of Jesus’ ascension, “we become the most sublime of materialists,” says theologian Karl Rahner. The Ascension confirms our sacred origins and that of all matter, including the smallest of smallest particles.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

holy day/feast Ascension Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 Luke 24:46-53
Leaving Jerusalem

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Occasion: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Readings: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11, Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23; Luke 24:46-53 IN A WAY THE STORY of Christ is one of descents and ascents, of going up to heaven and heaven coming down to earth. But the story is not a solo trip. In descending and ascending, Jesus takes us with him. He came from God to dwell among us and show us his way. He rose from the dead to give us life. He ascended into heaven to go back to God and complete his mission. And he will come again to take his faithful to himself forever. Right after the start of the Spanish civil war, a young Catholic teacher named Victoria Diez was rounded up along with other Catholics by a "Committee for the Defense of the Republic" in the Andalusian town of Hornachuelos. Several days later she found herself and a number of others walking to an open mineshaft, their place of execution. During this journey she encouraged her companions with the words, "I see the heavens open." She stuck with these words of faith, refusing to offer the revolutionary slogan that would have saved her life. Her actions recall those of Saint Stephen, the first martyr. When he was about to die—in Jerusalem—"he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This vision gave these two martyrs, among many others, the strength to give their lives for their faith. Jesus took a similar journey before them. And from Jerusalem he ascended to heaven. Her actions recall those of Saint Stephen, the first martyr. When he was about to die—in Jerusalem—"he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This vision gave these two martyrs, among many others, the strength to give their lives for their faith. Jesus took a similar journey before them. And from Jerusalem he ascended to heaven. Before Jesus ascended, however, he descended. He came down from heaven. " 'No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man,' " says the Gospel of John. What did he bring with him? The good news of God's kingdom. Does not Luke remind "Theophilus," his generic listener, "about all that Jesus did and taught"? Does not Jesus spend the 40 days after his resurrection "speaking about the kingdom of God"? This teaching and healing comes from God. Even Jesus himself in John's gospel speaks of his mission as something from God: " 'I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.' " From heaven Jesus came, and to heaven he returned. But he is not gone. He spent the time after his resurrection preparing the disciples for the new way he would be present to them: in the Spirit. He also remains present in the Eucharist he left us. Among all the things the Eucharist is and does, it is something we celebrate "until he comes again." This celebration sustains and awakens in us the hope of Christ's next-and last-descent: "'You will see the Son of Man . . . coming with the clouds of heaven'" (Mark 14:62). While we are waiting, we have work to do. "Men of Galilee," the figures in white robes asked the disciples, "why do you stand looking up towards heaven?" These angels reminded the disciples they are from an earthly place called Galilee and that they had the business of proclaiming the gospel, teaching, and healing—the business of the kingdom of God—to do. While they started in Jerusalem, they, too, had to leave this city, because Jesus has told them to be his witnesses not only in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, but "to the ends of the earth." We come to Jerusalem to see a vision of heaven, to celebrate that our Savior has come from heaven and has gone back to prepare a place for us. But like Jesus, and like all his disciples who witness to him and give of themselves sacrificially, we must also leave Jerusalem. We come not only to worship but also to serve. We take our vision and live the gospel of his kingdom in the presence of his Spirit until he comes again "to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him."

Authors Joel Schorn

holy day/feast Ascension Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 Luke 24:46-53 Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Cycle C

12 May 2013

SUNDAY SUMMARY Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 Luke resumes the telling of the Jesus story in its new incarnation: the church. Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 An enthronement psalm becomes a fitting image of the Ascension for Christians. Ephesians 1:17-23 or Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 Our inheritance in Christ is wisdom, revelation, and enlightenment of heart. Luke 24:46-53 Jesus summarizes the scripture that foretells what the disciples have already witnessed. For a link to the SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE C, please click here.

Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Ephesians 1:17-23 Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 Luke 24:46-53 Ascension Sunday

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