GLORIOUS ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS - HAND IN HAND WITH CHRIST

 

The glorious Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ stands as one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. After His Passion, Death, and triumphant Resurrection, Our Blessed Lord remained with His disciples for forty days. Jesus strengthened their hearts, taught them concerning the Kingdom of God, and prepared them for the sacred mission that lay ahead. 

Then, in the sight of His Apostles, Jesus ascended into Heaven. He returned to the Father from Whom He had come. The Ascension was not an abandonment of His people, but the completion of the Messianic mission entrusted to Him by God the Father. Having conquered sin and death, Christ re-entered into heavenly glory, where He reigns eternally as King, High Priest, and Advocate for humankind.

Before ascending into Heaven, Jesus gave His disciples a solemn command: to preach the Gospel to all nations and to carry His message “unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Matthew 28:19-20). This sacred commission was not given only to the Apostles, but to the whole Church throughout every age. Christians are called to proclaim the truth of Christ through word, example, charity, and faithful witness. 

The Gospel must be carried into homes, schools, workplaces, cities, and distant lands, so that every soul may hear of the Mercy and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The Church therefore continues the mission of Christ in the world, guided by the Holy Spirit Whom Our Lord promised to send.

Yet following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ is not an easy path. The Christian who seeks to walk faithfully with Christ soon discovers that the values of the gospel are often at odds with the spirit of the world. Our Lord Himself warned that His disciples would face misunderstanding, rejection, and even persecution. 

To follow Christ means to choose truth when falsehood is easier, and holiness when temptation surrounds us. Disciples need to strive after humility when pride is praised, and love when hatred seems stronger.

Those who truly seek to live according to the teachings of Jesus may find themselves out of step with many around them. But this should never discourage the faithful Christian, for the path of Christ has never been the broad and easy road.

The Ascension reminds believers that their true homeland is not of this world. While Christians live and labour upon the earth, their hearts are directed toward Heaven where Christ reigns in glory. The faithful are called to fix their eyes upon eternal things and not merely upon passing earthly concerns. 

The world changes constantly, but Jesus Christ remains “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)    To remain faithful to the Lord is the greatest calling a human soul can receive. Even when the world misunderstands or opposes the Christian life, the disciple of Christ must continue onward with courage. Disciples need to trust that the Lord walks beside His people.

The Ascension is therefore not a farewell filled with sadness, but a proclamation of hope. Christ ascended so that humankind might one day follow Him into eternal glory. Jesus opened the gates of Heaven through His victory, and He continually intercedes before the Father for His Church on earth. 

As Christians continue the mission entrusted to them, they do so with confidence that Jesus accompanies them. The Saviour remains present through the Holy Spirit, through Christ's gospel, through the sacraments, and through the life of the Church. 

The faithful therefore press onward in hope, striving each day to remain loyal to Christ, until the day when He shall come again in glory.

Hand in hand with Christ

I thought upon when Christ lifted up,
Through Ascension holy, after Gethsemane-cup;
It seemed as if 'mid daily strife,
Christ looked at me and changed my life. 

As I pondered His Ascension bright,
From the mount in holy light;
It seemed Christ gazed and spoke to me,
"Come, follow where I lead thee free."

"Forsake the sin that clouds thy way,
Only seek the good from day to day."
I stood in thought, my heart now taught,
Inspired to change my life to what I ought.

In my dream, 'pon mount's golden light,
Our Saviour seemed to stand with Mercy bright;
He took each trembling hand with care,
And spoke with love beyond compare.

“Go forth,” He said, “through every land,
To carry forth My great command;
Proclaim My Gospel far and near,
That every soul My voice may hear.

When you grow weak, I’ll make you strong,
And guide your feet when paths seem long;
When doubt and shadows cloud your way,
My Light shall turn your dark to day.

You’ll feel out of step with worldly pride,
For you'll no longer walk beside -
Fleeting ways men chase below;
You'll follow where My Footsteps go.

Be brave in winter, spring, and fall,
Speak of My Love and Grace to all;
Through every season do not fear,
For I, your Lord, am always near.”

Then heavenward Christ arose above,
The King of everlasting love;
And when our final hour draws nigh,
We too shall lift our hearts on high.

With peaceful joy our souls shall rise,
To meet our Lord beyond the skies;
Hand in hand with Christ once more,
We’ll dwell in light for evermore.

Image source unknown. With thanks to the artist

JESUS, CLIMB INTO THE BOAT OF MY LIFE

 

Jesus climbed into the boat after helping Peter overcome his fear at the raging waters. In the same way, let us invite Jesus to climb into the boat of our lives. It is only with the Master at the helm, that we can overcome the storms of life, steer in the right direction when we cannot see in the rain-bursts, and head home to heaven without losing our way.

Jesus, Climb Into the Boat of My Life

Jesus, climb into the boat of my life today,
Guide me gently along Heaven's way;
The waters are restless, thunders loudly roar,
Yet with You beside me, I now fear no more.

When dark clouds gather to hide sky above,
Shine through the tempest with Your endless Love;
When rains blind my vision and I cannot see,
Stretch out Your Hands, Lord, and encourage me.

When waves rise high and my courage grows small,
Remind me, dear Saviour, You govern them all;
No storm is too mighty, no burden too great,
For You are the Captain whom I gladly await.

When doubt fills my heart and I tremble with fear,
Speak softly, "My child, I am always near;"
Your Voice brings a calm no tempest destroys,
Turning my sorrow to heavenly joys.

Jesus, climb into the boat of my days,
Direct all my choices, guide all my ways;
When pathways are hidden, dangers abound,
Lead me by faith on secure, holy ground.

When life's long voyage at last reaches shore,
And I see heaven, my homeland evermore,
May I enter the portal with gladness and light,
For You were my Pilot through every dark night.

So stay in my boat, Lord, wherever I roam,
Safely conduct me to my heavenly home..
Through sunshine and storm, through calm sea and strife,
Jesus, climb into the boat of my life.

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle, "Stormy seas and Guiding Light"

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS AT PRAYER VIGIL. WHY NOT JOIN US?

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS AT PRAYER VIGIL. WHY NOT JOIN US?

Area of prayer	Particular prayer
Armed conflicts and war	Let us pray for all countries and  communities affected by violence and displacement.
Refugees, migrants, and displaced people	Let us pray for families and individuals fleeing war, persecution, economic collapse, and climate-related disasters. Let us pray for children separated from caregivers. Let us pray for people in camps and temporary shelters.
Famine, hunger, and food insecurity	Let us pray for regions facing acute food shortages, drought, crop failure, and disrupted supply chains.
Natural disasters and climate impacts	Let us pray for all those suffering from the fallout from floods, wildfires, storms, droughts, heat waves and earthquakes. Let us pray for communities rebuilding after disasters.
Public health and healthcare access	Let us pray for those without adequate medical care, medicine, clean water, sanitation, or mental-health support. Let us pray for  healthcare workers under strain.
Poverty, unemployment, and economic hardship	Let us pray for households struggling with rising costs, debt, housing insecurity, and lack of work.
Persecution, discrimination, and human rights abuses	Let us pray for people who suffer from persecution, discrimination and human rights abuses.
Children and youth	Let us pray for children and youth affected by war, trafficking, abuse, addiction, exploitation, interrupted education, and online harms.
Elderly, lonely, and vulnerable people	Let us pray for senior adults living alone, people with disabilities, and those without family support.
Creation care and stewardship Leaders and peacemakers	Let us pray for the wise use of land and water, protection of ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, and responsible governance of natural resources. Let us pray for heads of state, diplomats, judges, humanitarian agencies, religious leaders, and local mediators working for justice and reconciliation.
Local community needs	Let us pray for all who look for the assistance of Almighty God in schools, hospitals, emergency services, farms, work, families in crisis, and anyone known personally to yourself and in need of help, dear reader.
Prayer for the World Let us pray; Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of heaven and earth, we commend to Your loving care the whole world and all who dwell within it. Look with mercy upon all nations, Where there is war, may we be inspired to bring peace; where there is hatred, to sow love; where there is injustice, to establish righteousness; where there is despair, to kindle hope. Heavenly Father, stretch forth Your Hand over all who suffer from poverty, hunger, disease, loneliness, persecution, or grief. Strengthen the weak, comfort the sorrowful, heal the sick, protect the vulnerable, and grant courage to all who bear heavy burdens. Bless those who work for peace, justice, healing, and reconciliation, that they may be instruments of Your Compassion in a troubled world. Remember, O Lord, refugees and migrants, the homeless and the forgotten, the elderly and the young, and all whose cries are known to You alone. Bless our families, our communities, and our nations. Guide the leaders of the world with wisdom and integrity, that they may seek the common good and promote the dignity of every human person. We pray for Your holy Church of all branches throughout the world, which together form the one universal Christian Church, that she may faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be a light in the darkness, a refuge for the weary, and a witness to Your saving Love. As we come before You in prayer during this vigil, fill our hearts with renewed faith, steadfast hope, and generous charity. Send us forth to be bearers of Your Peace, servants of Your Mercy, and witnesses to Your Kingdom, until that day when every tear shall be wiped away and all creation is gathered into the joy of Your eternal Presence. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, the Divine Physician, and the Saviour of the world, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Divine Throne"