"Quid statis aspicientes in coelum?" - Acts 1:11Today we as Catholics think of the Ascension of our Lord, and how its signficance to us is underlined with the events of the past week in the Church. Scandals abroad and in our own land threaten to haunt those that have taken their eyes off of our Lord.
Recall that even the disciples did not recognize the Resurrected Lord until "Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at table". They would not recognize our Lord until the breaking of the bread. "... and He upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen Him after He was risen again." And he said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned."
These were among the very last words of our Lord and Savior before He ascended into Heaven. The very words of our Lord are very different than what many people profess today, both within and without the Church, yet this is teachings of Christ, and therefore, the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Those that believe IN Him, believe not merely that He existed and still exists, but they believe Jesus' every word. Matters of dogma are not to be challenged by those who profess to believe in Jesus the Christ.
"And while they were beholding Him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments, who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?"
These men in white garments are the same as the angels that stand watch by our Lord in the Tabernacles. They, of the Church Triumphant, behold the True Presence constantly.
Do we not deserve to be upbraided by our Lord when He appears at the table and in every Tabernacle? Are we incredulous and hardened in heart, even while He remains with us?
"UNLESS you EAT of my body... you do not have life in you."
Prepare yourselves in the present moment that you may win Heaven. +
Blessed Feast of the Ascension, 2009
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