This weekend we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord. Today’s readings describe the Ascension of the Lord Jesus into His heavenly glory after promising to send the Holy Spirit to the Apostles as the source of Heavenly power. Jesus also says that the disciples are to bear witness to Him through their lives and preaching throughout the world. The sending of the Holy Spirit is Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always; yes, to the end of time” (Mt 28-20). He is with us at all times and in all places, sending us a new energy upon the earth, the energy of the Holy Spirit. Release When I think of the energy and presence of the Holy Spirit being all around us, it can be akin to something like our concept of WIFI. Think about all the phone calls, emails, texts, and being able to watch your favorite movie or TV program on an app via your phone, tablet, or computer. Yet despite the flying message and signals all around us, we cannot see them, but we know once were connected, it’s like magic, we become a conduit to all this power and media. So too with the Holy Spirit. We must gain a clear connection in order to feel the power unleash within us. Sometimes things like sin, inauthenticity of self, buying into the status quo or fear of rejection if we don’t follow along, can all create a static in our connection. I believe we all need to re-connect and realize that through Baptism and the strengthening of that commitment in our Confirmation, we do have the power of the Holy Spirit but it must be a clear connection by how we align ourselves to His will in our lives. May God truly bless us and daily say that beautiful prayer we all learned to the Holy Spirit. Come O Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit Grant us in that same Spirit to be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
