The
meaning of the Ascension, the event culminating Jesus' earthly life, was the
central theme of His Holiness Pope Francis' catechesis during the 17 April 2013
general audience celebrated in St. Peter's Square.
“In
the Creed,” noted the pontiff, “we confess our faith in Christ who 'ascended
into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father'. … What does this
mean for our lives? While he 'ascends' to [Jerusalem], where his 'exodus' from
this life will take place, Jesus already sees the goal, Heaven, but he knows
well that the path that will take him back to the Father's glory passes through
the Cross, through obedience to the divine plan of love for humanity. … We also
must be clear, in our Christian lives, that entering into God's glory demands
daily fidelity to his will, even when it requires sacrifice, when it sometimes
requires us to change our plans.”
“The Ascension,” Francis concluded, “doesn't
indicate Jesus' absence, but rather it tells us that He is living among us in a
new way. He is no longer in a particular place in the world as He was before
the Ascension. Now He is in the Lordship of God, present in every space and
time, close to each of us. In our lives we are never alone: we have this
Advocate who awaits us and defends us. We are never alone. The crucified and
risen Lord guides us. With us there are many brothers and sisters who, in their
family life and their work, in their problems and difficulties, in their joys
and hopes, daily live the faith and bring, together with us, the Lordship of
God's love to the world. In Jesus Christ, risen and ascended into Heaven, we
have an Advocate.”
For
more information, please visit:
http://www.news.va/en/news/audience-jesus-the-only-and-eternal-priest
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Please
visit the website of the Women’s Section of the Pontifical Council for the
Laity for the latest updates:
Pope
Francis: Mothers and women continue to
give witness of the Risen Lord
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Just over a month ago I had the privilege to
lead a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land.
Recent Gospel readings take me back to our time on and near the Sea of
Galilee, a place of contemplation and prayer.
Please join me through these photographs and verses of Sacred Scripture.
Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples
at the Sea of Tiberias. (John, Chapter 21)
“Cast the net over the right side of the boat and
you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.
They realized it was the Lord.
“Follow me.”
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