Ascension Homily

Today we observe the External Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. In being taken up, it would seem that the Lord was giving His final goodbye to His apostles. In reality, by being taken up to Heaven, He is not giving a final goodbye nor making a departure, but is becoming more accessible to them—and thus to us.

As Saint Augustine stated, Christ “did not leave heaven when He came down to us, nor did He withdraw from us when He went up again into Heaven.” By ascending, He transitioned from being beside His followers to being among them in a universal way. If He had stayed on this earth, He could only be present in one place at a time; but now, He is universally present.

Through the Ascension, Christ is glorified and thus no longer bound by space and time. We especially see this in the Eucharist, where Christ is present with us—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. In the tabernacle is truly God’s presence among us, physically and not merely symbolically. This is possible because He has been taken up to Heaven and has not left us abandoned.

Now, with our sight set upon Him, we are able to be led to where He has gone. He is the forerunner, which means that His goodbye is not final. Instead, He is simply the first to walk through the door, which He now holds open for everyone else. Will we place our trust in Him and allow Him to lead us into Paradise, or will we instead attempt (though it is impossible) to enter by another gate?

As we recite in the Nicene Creed, “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.” This time between the Ascension and the Second Coming is not an absence, but a vigil. In ancient marriage customs, the groom would leave his bride to go to his father’s house to prepare a place. In going up, He prepares such a place for us—but will we be found watchful and awake?

We must remain in constant readiness, for “no one knows the day nor the hour.” A vigil requires a state of constant readiness so that we may be found prepared. Frequent confession and a daily examination of conscience assist us in being ready to meet the Lord at any moment—be it today, tomorrow, a week, a month, or years from now.

We are not just waiting for time to pass us by; we are entering into something that should be purgative. By remaining attentive to our spiritual lives, we grow in holiness each day as we continue to choose to follow Him. Living our lives as such a vigil allows us to take the Lord’s Ascension seriously, for through it the world has not been left empty, but expectant.

We must remain expectant, for this is not a "goodbye," but a "see you soon." Let us take this promise seriously and strive, with the assistance of God’s grace, toward where He has been taken up: the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ascension Homily

Today we celebrate the External Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

This celebration marks the completion of Jesus’ mission. He came, taking on our human flesh, and in the midst of His public ministry would teach and heal. Later, He came to suffer as He died upon the cross and on the third day rose again. Following His resurrection He returned to His Father in Heaven which signals that His saving work has been done.

Through His returning to Heaven He came to open that way in order that we may come to follow after Him. As He stated in the Gospel of Saint John, “I am going to prepare a place for you.” Through elevating our sight to where He has now gone before we are able to see that the hope of eternal life is possible for us.

Even though His saving work has been accomplished and a dwelling place has been made ready for us in Heaven the Mission continues. After all the apostles were told, “to go and make disciples of all nations.” They could not just sit idly by as if there was nothing else which needed to be done.

Following the Ascension the apostles would gather in prayer in preparation for the gift that would come upon them at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit. Through the receiving of such a gift they were strengthened on this mission in order that they may live the faith extended to them and to spread it throughout the world no matter the temptation or hardship that was set before them.

We too must come look towards such a reality of hope. Through such a glimpse we are given all that we are needed to endure until the end from Christ. He has already triumphed upon the wood of the cross in order that we may be redeemed. There is nothing that we can add to this saving act that has been offered.

Nevertheless, we cannot just sit idly by as if there is nothing for us to now do with this gift that has been given unto us. We must be willing to look towards Heaven and everything that we do should be done as by someone who strives to get there with the assistance of God’s grace. How often do we lose sight of such a goal in order to get caught up in worldly pursuits?

Living such a life a sanctity might seem to be difficult, but we must remember that is possible. Through prayer and the sacramental life of the Church we are strengthened in this race towards the Heavenly Kingdom. Let us not take our sight off of the Pearl of Great Price, but dare to continue to look to where the Lord has now gone before.

The Lord has now gone to Heaven and He will come again. Let us be found ready to encounter Him with joy at His coming.

Ascension Homily

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our mothers. We thank you for the gift of life and pray that the Blessed Mother way intercede for you always. She was the mother of the Lord and watches over all those who have devotion to her that they may be taken closer to her Son.

Please pray for Bishop-elect Mark Beckman who has been appointed by Pope Francis as the new bishop of Knoxville. His ordination Mass will take place on July 26th. At the conclusion Mass we will now pray for Bishop-elect Beckman which is a new prayer that can be found in your pew.

Today we celebrate the Transferred Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven. This feast draws many parallels to His Transfiguration. It was at the Transfiguration that the Lord went with two of His apostles to a mountaintop and revealed His divinity unto them. This glimpse into His divinity strengthened them as they would soon undergo the Passion and death of the Lord.

Both accounts take place high upon a mountain which is understood to be a place where God goes in order to reveal Himself to us. Upon this mountain He revealed Himself to be divine in nature as His clothes came to be dazzling white. Also, upon this mountain He was taken into Heaven both Body and Soul. As He is taken up our sight must be elevated upward in order that we may dare to go where He has now gone before.

At the Transfiguration Peter desired to make three booths for He was not ready to be separated from this experience. The same held true for the apostles at the time of the Lord’s Ascension. As we are told in the Gospel of Saint Luke, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

This departure that took place at the Transfiguration as well as at the Ascension is not a bad thing. We are not being left alone as if abandoned. Hope has not been ripped away from us. Rather, this departure that the Lord undergoes is leading us into freedom. Through it we are being led towards the Promised Land as the Israelites who had been liberated from their slavery were led towards the Promised Land.

For this reason we must elevate our sight upward to where He has now gone before, Heaven. In these days which lay ahead we must prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost just like the apostles. It is the Holy Spirit who came upon the apostles as a strong driving wind moving them forward into the abundant harvest of the Lord. This same Holy Spirit must come upon us to sanctify our heart that we may live for the Lord.

Let this celebration of the Lord’s Ascension convince us of what is truly important in this life. No matter the ups and down that we face with life we are a possession of the Lord and we should live as such. Let our fervent desire be that we will be lifted up the Lord when all is said and done and thus hear those words, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Ascension Homily

Today we celebrate the External Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

It is this solemnity which calls to mind the Lord’s final moments upon this earth. Throughout the course of His earthly life so much had taken place. He was born in Bethlehem. He came to be worshiped by angels, shepherds, and wise men. He was presented in the Temple at three years of age. He entered into the waters of baptism in the Jordan. He entered into His public ministry where He taught and worked miracles. The events of His Passion unfolded and He broke bread with His disciples, was crucified, died, and was buried. Despite this sorrow true joy came to give rise for He rose on the third day. Following the Resurrection He appeared to His disciples and gave them hope.

The Lord is now taken up to Heaven Body and Soul. From this glimpse the apostles elevated their sight and came to believe and profess in this same reality. Likewise, each of us must come to elevate our sight upwards towards the Lord. We must dare to go where He has now gone before, Heaven. There is no greater glimpse then this for this is the pearl of great price that we are told of in Sacred Scripture, for “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

Throughout the course of our own life we experience so many joys and sorrows. There are the temptations that attempt to lead us away from God and towards the lie of earthly pleasures. We are busy with this and that for there is always something more for us to do in this life. The answer to all of these burdens is the ultimate joy of Heaven. If only we would set our sight here and realize that there is nothing greater that we can look upon or behold then this. As we are told by Saint Paul in his Letter to the Colossians, “If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth.“

Let us enter fully into this celebration of the Lord’s Ascension in order that we may set our heart upon what is above. Jesus has not simply gone away, but continues to remain close to us. As He stated to His apostles, “I speak the truth to you: it is expedient for you that I depart. For if I do not go the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” This Advocate for which we await is the Holy Spirit who comes upon the Church as a strong diving wind at Pentecost. Let us prepare for this gift of the Holy Spirit for this gift guides us in all truth and assists us in our daily pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Lord’s Ascension is a glimpse into true joy. This is a glimpse towards Heaven which is the ultimate joy of this life. Do we dare to go where the Lord has now gone before or would we rather continue to toil in the here and now without hope? In all things let us raise our sight towards Christ for He is the hope of our life and His Kingdom is true joy.

Ascension of the Lord Homily

40 days following His Resurrection, our Blessed Lord was taken up Body and Soul into Heaven. Therefore, we gather to celebrate this Transferred Solemnity of Ascension Thursday today.

Some would consider the cross and resurrection as the sole important elements of our redemption. We cannot also forget about the importance of the Lord’s Ascension. The Ascension is, after all, a cause of our salvation just like the cross and resurrection.

The Roman Canon shows this importance as it stresses, “Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord.”

The Passion and Resurrection can easily be spoken of concerning there importance to our salvation, but what can be said of the importance of the Lord’s Ascension?

Yom Kippur is known as the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Central to this day are the themes of atonement and repentance. It was this feast that served as the only time in the year where anyone would enter into the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was the innermost room to the Temple. The Holy of Holies was seen as being the spiritual junction of Heaven and earth. It is for this reason that the sanctuary of the church is sometimes referred to as being the Holy of Holies. We find that it elevated and thus it reminds us of Heaven. This space is special because it is here that the Sacred Mysteries of the Mass are celebrated.

Our second readingfrom Hebrews reflected upon Christ and His relationship to this room, “As the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own; if that were so he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world.” Therefore, it is the Ascension of our Lord which brings this to completion. He enters into Heaven and He acts as the true high priest who completes the work of our salvation. This is very important for us for without the Ascension our salvation would not be complete. Christ was not just another high priest who would enter into the Holy of Holies, but He was THE high priest who would enter into the Holy of Holies to bring everything to its fulfillment.

Saint Thomas Aquinas’ would look upon this important reality of Christ and state, “Christ by once ascending into heaven acquired for himself and for us in perpetuity the right and worthiness of a heavenly dwelling-place.” With this in mind this Solemnity of the Ascension is important because it (1) completes God’s atoning work, (2) allows us to enter into Heaven, and (3) anticipates the time when He will come again.

As we come to celebrate this Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension into Heaven we should look upward, with the apostles, towards Heaven and desire that one day we will indeed see Him face to face. The world in which we live is filled with a lot of chaos, just look to the Ukraine or Uvalde, but the Lord’s Ascension shapes our hope that we do not belong to this world. Let us be taken up to Him by how we live our life on this earth. May He always be the source of our faith and hope as we dare to go where He has now gone.

Ascension Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord into Heaven. This celebration causes us to look upward and dare to go where our Lord has gone before. Now we must decide if we will elevate our sight in such fashion, thus joining with the apostles, or if we will instead keep our sight cast downward upon the here and now.

Our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven brings to conclusion His earthly life. This earthly life came about when He was conceived within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. Many events then proceeded in His earthly life from His birth in Bethlehem, to His preaching concerning the Kingdom of God, to His sorrowful Passion, and to His glorious Resurrection. We now anticipate when He will come again at the end of time.

Along the way shepherds came to adore Him, magi brought Him gifts, and the apostles came to know and love Him. The apostles encountered many ups and downs concerning their time with the Lord. They came to mourn at His death, rejoice at the Good News of His Resurrection, and now they were saddened by His Ascension. They like us, were not left alone, for they came to receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

The Fathers of the Church used to refer to the Ascension as being the “hope of the body.” Truly this celebration is a great hope because through it we are reminded to keep moving forward because life always triumphs over death.

With all of the ups and downs of life it can be difficult to have faith and trust placed in the Lord, but we must still have hope and the Lord’s Ascension signals that hope to us. For through the Lord’s Ascension may we come to realize that we have not been left alone. Rather, our Lord continues to be present with us in this day and age. He continues to be manifest among us in the Most Holy Eucharist for “He who eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him.” We are not alone for the Lord has told us so, so let us continue to dwell with Him and elevate our sight upward towards Him.

In this world there are so many who have lost sight of where they are headed in this life. They see no value to the practice of religion and the the pursuit of truth. Others have grown complacent and need to be shaken out of their complacency. We must reminded of the Lord in the midst of all that we do in the here and now.

The Ascension serves as our reminder that the Lord is indeed flesh and blood like you and me. It serves as a reminder that we need to continue to encounter and set our sight upon Him within this life. The answer to where we are headed is to where He has gone before, the Kingdom of Heaven. Do we dare to join Him here or would we rather remain caught up in the here and now? 

Let us not be filled with sorrow, but with hope as we realize that through the Ascension a great gift has been poured out upon the world. Heaven is indeed where we are headed, so let us begin to live as if this were a truth. The Lord continues to bless us with grace in order that we may follow where He has gone before. Let us dare follow Him and elevate our sight upward towards Him in all that we do.

Ascension of the Lord Homily

Today we come to celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

The Ascension of the Lord is the climax of the Pascal mystery. The sacrifice begins in the Upper Room and doesn’t end with His Passion upon the cross as some may believe, but instead it reaches its climax through His Ascension. As is stated to us in the Roman Canon: “Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the Resurrection from the dead, and the glorious Ascension into heaven of Christ, your Son, our Lord.” I point this out because the Ascension continues to reflect the reality of the Lord’s sacrifice and every opportunity that we have to assist at the Holy Mass is to be present for this sacrifice. Very often we allow ourself to forget that the Mass is sacrifice. In doing so we lesson the importance of what is taking place around us.

It was on the Day of Atonement that the high priest would enter into the holy of holies and it was there that he would offer sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people of Israel. This is something that he would have to do year after year. Through our Lord’s Ascension the Day of Atonement is being fulfilled. As is stated in Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews: “For Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” This verse is reflective of the Day of Atonement and the fact that through the Ascension of the Lord this offering comes to be made.

Through His Ascension into Heaven He returns to His Heavenly Father, He comes to be seated at the right hand of the Father on His Heavenly throne, but He also goes to offer the sacrifice of Himself to the Father for all eternity once and for all time. We must realize that through His Resurrection He rises again from the grave both body and soul. We must also realize that through His Ascension He is taken into Heaven body and soul. It is through the Ascension that He enters into eternity itself where He no longer comes to be bound by space and time.

All of this comes to be beautifully summed up for us in the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 662: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” The lifting up of Jesus on the cross signifies and announces his lifting up by his Ascension into heaven, and indeed begins it. Jesus Christ, the one priest of the new and eternal Covenant, “entered, not into a sanctuary made by human hands...but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” There Christ permanently exercises his priesthood, for he “always lives to make intercession” for “those who draw near to God through him.” As “high priest of the good things to come” he is the center and the principal actor of the liturgy that honors the Father in heaven.”

Through all of this we can see that Christ is the Eternal High Priest. When we attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we participate in this reality. Here we come to united with this reality and join with all the Masses that have been said, are being said, and will said for the rest of eternity. Through the Mass with join with the priest who comes to offer sacrifice on our behalf by joining into this eternal sacrifice being offered by the Eternal High Priest, Christ our Lord. May we come to appreciate this sacrifice, pray for and appreciate our priests, and come here to the Mass to abandon our needs before Christ the Eternal High Priest who offers the sacrifice of Himself to the Father for all eternity once and for all time.

Coronavirus Letter II

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Lenten season has presented us with many challenges that would of never been known at the start of this season. Sadly, many do not take Lent to be the time of penance that it is. Nevertheless, the coronavirus has caused much penance for our parish, diocese, nation, and world. At this time of uncertainty I assure you of the support of the Church and Christ’s love for you.

Day by day and hour by hour things seem to change. Nevertheless, I write this letter to update you on what is currently taking place in our parish and diocese. It is possible that future information will come out which will change some of these policies.

The Diocese of Knoxville has canceled all public Masses effective March 20 until April 1. A decision will then be made to resume public Masses or not. I assure you that this does not mean that Masses in this diocese will cease. Father Jesus and I will continue to offer Mass each day. We are looking into the possibility of live streaming a Mass in Spanish and English each Sunday, more information on this will be given at a later date. Both of us will also post a homily each Sunday to our parish social media accounts.

Currently each school in the Diocese of Knoxville has been closed until April 13. With that all parish activities are to cease until further notice. This means that there will not be meetings or social gatherings taking place at our parish at least until April 13 if not longer.

Our parish adoration chapel will close today, March 17, at 4pm until further notice. Our church will be unlocked each day from 8am-8pm. During this time I invite you to come in and pray. Remember that the tabernacle is the dwelling place of Christ our Lord. Also, we have Stations of the Cross inside as well as outside that can be prayed. When you do come to pray please stick to social distancing by allowing six feet between yourself and other people.

Confessions will continue to be heard Wednesday at 6pm, Saturday at 9am, and Sunday at 1:30pm. When you are in line please keep a distance with those around you of about six feet in order that we can do our best to keep everyone safe.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have been asked to no longer bring communion to the homebound. I do ask that they call those who they were visiting weekly to pray with them over the phone and to see how they are doing if this is possible. Priests will continue to take sick calls and anoint the dying and bring viaticum to them as requested.

It is important that the church continues to reach out to those who are need. We have thus put procedures in place to continue the ministry of the food pantry during this time. We have also organized a shopping group to shop for the elederly to make sure that they have what they need. You can continue to drop off food to the food pantry during the hours that the parish is scheduled to be open.

If you are able please remember that we have online giving or you can send your donation to the church by mail. We will continue to make the bulletin where a digital version can be found on our parish website. The Sentinal will also continue to be used to keep everyone updated on the constant updates from our parish community.

I ask that all pray the rosary every single day that this may come to pass as well for the reparation for the many sins made against our Lord and for the conversion of all sinners. I ask that you continue to fast and pray during this time as well in order that we may be spared of this plight and that our life may resume as normal. It is my hope that this time will draw each of us close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Also, with the realization of our sins please frequent the sacrament of confession.

I know that some are not happy over no public Masses being offered, but please pray the rosary, fast, pray, and frequent confession. Also, I recommend that you study scripture each day especially the readings for Mass. I recommend that you find a way to stream the Holy Mass and watch it. I recommend that you offer up your sufferings for the salvation of souls and good of this parish. I recommend that you make a spiritual communion as your heart longs to receive our Blessed Lord.

Prayer of spiritual communion: “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”

Our final public Masses will be on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, March 19. Our Mass schedule for the day will be 7am, 8:30am, 5pm (Extraordinary Form), 6:30pm procession followed by Mass in Spanish at 7pm. If attending these Masses I request that you follow social distancing. Our remaining Masses will be offered in the church rather then the chapel to allow for more distancing. On this day I will consecrate our parish to Saint Joseph to invoke him to offer his protection over our parish.

If I or a member of the clergy can be of assistance to you or your family please let me know. For now our office will continue normal office hours until further notice.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. 

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. 

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. 

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. 

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. 

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. 

Holy Mary, pray for us. 

Saint Joseph, pray for us. 

Noble Offspring of David, pray for us. 

Light of Patriarchs, pray for us. 

Spouse of the Mother of God, pray for us. 

Chaste Guardian of the Virgin, pray for us. 

Foster-Father of the Son of God, pray for us. 

Zealous Defender of Christ, pray for us. 

Head of the Holy Family, pray for us. 

Joseph Most Just, pray for us. 

Joseph Most Chaste, pray for us. 

Joseph Most Prudent, pray for us. 

Joseph Most Courageous, pray for us. 

Joseph Most Obedient, pray for us. 

Joseph Most Faithful, pray for us.

Mirror of Patience, pray for us. 

Lover of Poverty, pray for us. 

Model of Workmen, pray for us. 

Glory of Domestic Life, pray for us. 

Guardian of Virgins, pray for us. 

Pillar of Families, pray for us. 

Comfort of the Afflicted, pray for us. 

Hope of the Sick, pray for us. 

Patron of the Dying, pray for us. 

Terror of Demons, pray for us. 

Protector of the Holy Church, pray for us. 

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. 

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. 

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. 

V. He has made him lord of his household, 

R. And prince over all his possessions. 

Let us pray. O God, who, in your loving providence, chose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most Holy Mother, grant us the favor of having him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our protector. You, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

In Christ,

Fr. Dustin Collins

Tuesday of Week 6 OT Homily

Leaven is a substance which is added to dough in order to make it rise.

Jesus is not using the word “leaven” in a positive sense when He uses it in our Gospel. Here He applies it to the Pharisees and to Herod and is ultimately alluding to the fact that what they have to offer can bring about a transformation which ruins a person.

With that we must stay on guard against anything that can take hold of us which may ruin us. Instead we must follow Matthew 13:33 or Luke 13:20-21’s positive use of the word “leaven.”

From the Gospel of Saint Matthew: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

From the Gospel of Saint Luke: “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened.”

Very soon we will enter into the season of Lent. Hopefully we will make use of this season to move ourself away from wordiness in order to pursue the Kingdom of God.

Ascension Homily

Forty days have now passed since our celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection and so we now come to celebrate our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven. Here He was taken up both Body and Soul into Heavenly glory. This celebration gives us reason to reflect upon where it is that we are being directed within this life.

When I prepare couples for marriage I always try to lead them in a series of questions. I want to know where they are going in life. From this question I receive many different answers, but I am looking for one specific answer. I hear we will get a house, we will get a job, we will have children, our children will grow up and move out. It them takes awhile to get to the uncomfortable and thus acknowledge the fact that they will grow old and die. In the end the answer that I am looking for is that we will get to Heaven.

With every God given vocation the goal in sight through our faithful embracing of such a call should be that of Heaven. I now pose this same question to each of you. We is it that you are headed? Are you striving to get to Heaven or instead has the here and now become more important then reaching this goal?

When we look at depictions of art concerning the Ascension of our Lord we often notice the heads of those gathered around being lifted upwards. So too we must lift our sight upwards towards Heaven and realize that this is our goal. In Sacred Scripture we are told about the pearl of great price which is worth selling everything in order to obtain it. Heaven is this pearl of great price and we should strive each day to obtain this goal.

Thankfully, we have not been left alone to accomplish this goal for ourself. It would seem that through the Ascension Christ has left our midst and we are alone to figure all this out. This is not the case because through faith we know that our Lord continues to dwell with us here in the Most Holy Eucharist. We also know that Christ promised that the gift of the Holy Spirit would come and so like a strong driving wind the Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles at Pentecost and left them forth to call all the nations to Christ.

If we are strive for Heaven each day we must place our attention upon Christ. We must prevail ourself to the sacramental life of the church in order that we may allow God’s grace to sustain us in the midst of every temptation and turmoil. We must trust in the gift of the Holy Spirit and allow this same gift to propel us out into the world as true disciples. If we know, understand, and believe our ultimate goal in this life to be that of Heaven we will surrender our sin and despair in order to strive for this Heavenly homeland. Let us raise our sight towards our Lord for He has Ascended into Heaven. May we dare to follow where He leads.