Pastor's Letter

 
Today we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. In contemplating this mystery, I’m struck by what seems like two competing realities. The first is the image of Jesus ascending into the clouds away from humanity and into the vastness of eternity. The second is Jesus’ last words: “Behold, I am with you always until the end of the age” which doesn’t sound like he’s going away from us, but instead coming closer to us.
 
Both realities are true. His body goes toward the heavenly realm. And yet, he established our Sacramental life to confirm that he is still accessible, as close to us as our own breathing, which is the spiritual realm.  As Catholics, in the creed we profess that we believe in the Creator of all things, visible and invisible. The body ascends, but the Spirit remains.
 
Jesus is with us in every Baptism and Confirmation when he touches our soul. He is with us in every Reconciliation when we’re forgiven. He’s with us most intimately in the Eucharist, where we take in his body, blood, soul and divinity. He’s the heart of every Marriage and Ordination. And he’s the healing touch in every Anointing. We encounter his invisible presence that’s made visible in the life of the Church.

In fact, we’ll hear St. Paul say today in his letter to the Ephesians, the Church is his body in our world, “the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” As the Body of Christ in the world, as members of the Church (i.e., members of his body) we can experience Christ’s visible presence in simply being with each other and staying with each other.
 
One of the most powerful things we can do is be present to one another. When someone is mourning the loss of someone they love, if you ever are wavering whether or not to go to the wake or the funeral—maybe because you don’t know what to say—go. They’ll always be grateful you were there, and you don’t have to say much. Your presence says, “I’m with you.”
 
If someone is sick, take the time to visit them or call them. I’ve never heard anyone tell me they regretted doing that—even if the person may no longer be aware of their surroundings. Your presence, your voice, your concern, your love is felt and needed. 
 
If someone needs to talk, listen. It may be the last thing you want to do that day, or maybe you’re dead tired or even battling your own problems, and yet that time you spend listening can make a difference to someone who needs to be heard.
 
If a child in your life wants you to go to a birthday party, to come over to their house, to go see them play soccer, go. Rearrange your schedule, postpone the meeting if you can, and be there because they (or maybe even their parents) need to see you.
 
From the beginning, God has tried to show us he is with us. It’s the reason he sent his Son. It’s the reason God the Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit. And in being created in God’s image and likeness, in very simple ways we realize that being there for another is a way God’s presence can be felt, because God is love. We need the gift of presence, which is a human need. And in it we find “the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.”
 
I feel very blessed to be with you on this journey of faith we share. You strengthen me and allow me to experience the invisible presence of Christ in a visible way.
 
      –Fr. Mike