If you watched the Kentucky Derby, you may have heard them talking about a way to bet called a Trifecta. This is when you correctly pick the way the first three horses finish the race. Well, this year we had our own Trifecta. Ash Wednesday was Valentine’s Day. Easter Sunday was April Fool’s Day. Today, the Ascension of the Lord is Mother’s Day! Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in the parish! Do something nice for your mother today. I hope you like the flowers and bookmarks we have for all the mothers today.
May is the Month of Mary. And of course Mary is our special mother, given to all of us by Jesus on the cross, when he shared her with us through his disciple John. This is your mother. This is your son/daughter. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. In some places this is still celebrated on Thursday, 40 days after the Resurrection, however, many dioceses now celebrate it on this Sunday, so that more people can celebrate this great event. This option came to be about 12 or 13 years ago.
In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we have St. Luke’s presentation of the Ascension. Here the 40 days from the Resurrection of Jesus is pointed out. Jesus tells his disciples about Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. “When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.”
Our Responsorial Psalm continues: “All you peoples clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.”
Saint Paul continues this theme in our second reading: “raising him (Christ) from the deadand seating him at his right hand in the heavens.”
Mark’s Gospel continues the same story: “So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they ( the disciples) went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.” Today we are those disciples and Jesus is still with us confirming his word as we preach his message in word and deed.
At the invitation of Pete Morgan, Dan Mandell and I attended a “Call In” at the Charles Martin Center. This was a very moving experience as the police and public officials “called in” about 25 gang members from South Bend and presented a program telling them what the police are doing to stop the shootings in the city. Legal people were there and told them how much time they face in prison, if they are not killed by one another. A mother told her story about her 15 year old son being killed and two ex-offenders told their stories on how they turned their lives around. One very strong point that was made is that young men in gangs are killing other young men in gangs and this is mostly black on black crime in South Bend. Three 17 year olds have been gunned down lately. There were several companies there to offer jobs and many community members there for support. Change your lives! Stop the shootings! You are loved! These were the main messages. Let us pray that this works.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the world. Let us also pray for vocations to the church. Let us pray for the sick of the parish. Let us pray that all will come to respect life. Let us pray for one another and for the canonization of Father Tolton.
A Father Tolton Prayer: Father in Heaven, Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death. If it be your Will, O God, glorify your servant Father Tolton, by granting the favor I now request through his intercession (mention your request) so that all may know the goodness of this priest whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. Complete what you have begun in us that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom. Not to us the glory, but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.