Dear John,

What a difference six weeks makes!  Today’s readings for the Ascension of the Lord resound with wonder and joy in contrast to the somber scriptures of Christ’s Passion and death.  A theme has been building in our Eastertide celebrations that there are yet more gifts that God wants to bestow on His people, out of the abundance of His love.

The readings for the Ascension of the Lord (observed on the Seventh Sunday of Easter) can be found here:

First reading: Acts 1:1-11

Psalm: 47:2-3, 6-9

Second reading: Ephesians 1:17-23

Gospel:  Luke 24:46-53

Here is a link to today's daily readings. 

In both versions of the Ascension that we read today, Jesus continues to instruct and encourage His disciples until He is taken from their sight.  A sentence leaps out at me from today’s Gospel, spoken just before Jesus ascends:

“And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.”  Luke 24:49

Jesus is telling the apostles to wait in faith for the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in His name.  The phrase “clothed with power from on high” is interesting.  It suggests that the apostles will be wrapped in the power of the Holy Spirit – that this power from Heaven will be as close to them as the clothes they wear. 

The apostles obey by returning to the Upper Room and continuing in prayer for nine days.  This was the first Novena (meaning nine days of prayer) and is still the only Novena officially prescribed by the Church.  

Perhaps you started praying the Novena in Honor of the Holy Spirit this past Friday.
It can be found here.

Among EWTN’s faith-filled programs to inspire you this week: 

(All programming times listed are Eastern): 

June 2^nd 12:00 AM and June 7^th 8:00 PM.  God, the Universe and Everything.  Author and speaker Matt Fradd describes the hollow agnosticism he endured as an adult and how his long search for redemption renewed his faith in God and the Catholic Church.

June 3^rd 1:30 AM.  Joan of Arc.  The classic hagiographic film, starring Ingrid Bergman as the French heroine, directed by God, who led her forces into battle and ultimately liberated her homeland at the cost of her life.

June 4^th-6^th 5:30 PM.  There is a Solution.  Fr. Cedric Pisegna explains how the Christian foundational steps behind the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous can provide solutions applicable to the daily lives of everyone.

May Christ’s Ascension fill you with Hope,

Father Joseph Mary Wolfe, MFVA

EWTN Global Catholic Network