The grand narrative of the Easter story keeps unfolding. We have been delving deep into the richness of John’s Gospel. I hope you have been paying attention. We have learned that John’s Gospel is much different than the other Gospels in that the message goes straight to the heart of the matter. The Gospel of John is divided into three significant components that reveal the deepest aspects of the Paschal Mystery.

After all, the Church has set aside a total of fifty days to contemplate this most profound mystery of salvation and conversion. That in and of itself tells us how important this season is.

John’s Gospel consists of the Prologue, the cosmic version of the birth narrative of Jesus: “In the beginning, the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” Wow, if that doesn’t get to the heart of God coming to us in the flesh. The Eucharistic Discourse is the next category, as we hear the echo of the message of Jesus through the miracle of the loaves and fish, the wedding at Cana, as well as John’s Gospel reminding us that if we do not eat of the flesh of the Son of Man or drink of His blood, we will not have life within us. The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Catholic faith! It’s the tangibility of God, as is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Farewell Discourse is the final component of this Gospel and is how Jesus affirms all of His encounters with His disciples, whether it be on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, through apparitions in His post-resurrected state, or by His sending the Paraclete, or the Advocate, preparing us for Easter’s grand finale of Pentecost. John’s Gospel is steeped in deep meaning that is meant to encourage us as disciples of Jesus, too. We must face some pretty hard questions in light of the Gospel of John, which requires us to be serious about our faith response — or not. Are you ready to give your great FIAT to Jesus by responding YES?

— Will you be My disciple? Will you really?
— Do you believe? Do you really believe? For if we believe, we receive.
— Will you be My friend? “If you are My friends, you will keep My commandments,” to love and to forgive one another, and follow the Ten Commandments too.

The Feast of the Ascension not only commemorates the historical departure of Jesus ascending to the Father, but is a call for us in our Catholic faith to practice such faith with due diligence and authenticity. We are called to embrace every aspect and teaching of the Church because by taking on the mind of the Church, we take on the mind of Christ, which is needed more and more. We are not Cafeteria Catholics, treating our faith as if it were a big buffet table, taking a little of this or a little of that, but we must partake of this Table of Plenty. Pope Leo XIV demonstrates this so well in the media as he actively embodies his role as the Vicar of Christ and the voice of moral reason that the world refuses to digest. Listen to all he is saying regarding our need to achieve world peace, and not allowing our Catholic beliefs to be filtered by political views, but by solid Church teaching, which most often is in direct conflict with such ways of thinking. Don’t underestimate the wisdom of the Holy Father; he is the voice of reason calling us to ascend to the higher truths that become the cause of our salvation. We are on the greatest hike of our lives to the summit! Our ascension begins today with all of us stepping up and ascending to the wisdom and teaching of the Catholic faith that has stood the test of time and many political climates that come and go. Let us never lose sight of our momentum and direction and seek always the things above. We are in the world, but we are not of this world, as we long to go where He has gone!

Blessed Ascension

Hope to See You at the Top,

Fr. Michael

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