Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 2 Part B: The Fruit of Love

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit.

Week 2: The Fruit of the Spirit is Love

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22

Perhaps when you received the sacrament of Confirmation, you were like me and were able to recite all the gifts of the Spirit and perhaps even the fruits of the Spirit.  However, as the years pass the memory fades and the way to connect the fruits of the Spirit with the gifts of the Spirit has disappeared. 

Perhaps, like me, you have not given the fruits of the Spirit much thought at all.   This is my motivation for writing this series.  I decided to imagine I had never been confirmed before and learn what I can about the gifts and the fruits of the Spirit as if I had never heard of them before. I desire to have a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit.

The Gift of Love

The Church has always held love (caritas) as the highest of the virtues and the very heartbeat of the Christian life. It is not a fruit we manufacture on our own—it is the natural outpouring of the Holy Spirit at work within us. Love is first in the list of the fruits of the Spirit because all the others flow from it.

As we begin this 12-week journey into the fruits of the Spirit, we start with love—not simply emotion, but divine action; not sentimentality, but sacrificial and faithful presence.

What Does Scripture Say?

• 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind…” This passage remains the clearest portrait of love lived in the Spirit.
  
  
• Romans 5:5: “The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
  
  
• John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give you: love one another as I have loved you.”

In these verses, we see that love is not only a commandment but a gift, presence, and proof of the Spirit’s indwelling.

What Does the Church Say?

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (383–385) affirms that the fruits of the Spirit are “perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory.”

In paragraph 1822 of the full Catechism:

“Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God.”

When we speak of love as a fruit, it is deeply theological—it connects heaven and earth in us.

 How Does Love Connect with the Gifts of the Spirit?

• Wisdom allows us to see with God’s eyes—and love with God’s heart.
• Piety gives us the tenderness of devotion toward God and others.
• Counsel helps us act in love when we are unsure.
• Fortitude gives us the strength to love when it is difficult.

Love is not just a fruit—it is the expression of all the gifts taking root.

 Practicing the Fruit of Love

To grow in love is to allow the Holy Spirit to widen our hearts—gradually, humbly, and consistently. This love is not reserved for the extraordinary moments, but revealed in the ordinary, daily acts of grace. Here are some ways to let the fruit of love take deeper root in your life:

• Begin each day with a quiet offering: Before speaking or acting, ask: Holy Spirit, help me to love well today—through my words, my tone, my choices.
  
  
• Listen attentively: Make a conscious effort to be fully present when someone speaks. Set aside distractions. Let love be shown in undivided attention.
  
  
• Notice and affirm the good in others: Send a message, write a note, or speak a kind word that reminds someone of their value—especially when they least expect it.
  
  
• Love in patience: When frustrated, pause. Breathe. Delay a reaction. Choose a softer response. This is love in action.
  
  
• Forgive with gentleness: If a memory of hurt surfaces, pray: Holy Spirit, soften my heart. Teach me to forgive with freedom.
  
  
• Stretch your circle: Look around your parish, workplace, or neighbourhood. Is there someone who might feel overlooked or disconnected? Extend warmth, an invitation, a kind gesture.
  
  
• Serve in hidden ways: Do something kind without needing recognition—return a shopping trolley, wash someone else’s mug, tidy up after a meeting.
  
  
• Pray intentionally for someone each day: Choose one person each morning and hold them in prayer, especially with someone you may find difficult to understand or connect.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

 Journal Opportunity: Reflecting on Love

Here are a few journaling prompts to sit with this week:

1. When I think of love, what images or memories come to mind?
2. In what ways do I already see the fruit of love in my life?
3. Where am I struggling to show love right now?
4. What does it mean for me to love as Christ loves?
5. How can I invite the Holy Spirit to help me love more deeply this week?

You may like to print and keep these in your prayer journal or spiritual notebook.

 Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your divine fire.
Teach me how to love when I feel dry, wounded, or afraid.
Let my life speak of your love—not just in words, but in every choice I make.
Holy Spirit, grow your fruit in me. Amen.

  

Collect Series: Solemnity of Body and Blood of Christ ( Corpus Christi).

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

 COLLECT

 

The Collect of the Mass for the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ reads as follows:

 

O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of Your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood
that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of Your redemption. 
Who lives and reign with God the Father
in the unity o the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. What is my attitude to the Eucharist- do I believe in the real presence in the Eucharist?
2. Why is the Eucharist linked to Christ's suffering and death and how does that link impact on our lives?
3. How grateful am I for the salvation Christ has won for me and how does that manifest itself in my life?
4. What is the peace of the kingdom and how might it be experienced in my life this week?
5. How might I increase my faith and love of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Luke 9:11–17 recounts the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, one of the most beloved and symbol-rich Gospel episodes

There are a number of interesting points to highlight in this Gospel.  However,  the following line is key to this Gospel.

“You give them something to eat.”

This line strikes at the heart of discipleship. The apostles see the problem which for them is thousands of hungry people. They look to Jesus to solve it. However, Jesus turns it around: you give them something to eat. This is not only about food. It is about responsibility, participation, and trust.

Jesus invites the disciples to be part of the miracle, even when they feel unequipped. That same invitation comes to us. We often think, “I do not have enough—time, energy, skill, resources.” Yet Christ works through our little offerings—our “five loaves and two fish”—when we hand them over in faith.

 

Other interesting aspects to highlight in this Gospel include:

1. Eucharistic Overtones

• Jesus takes, blesses, breaks, and gives—the same verbs used at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19). This foreshadows the institution of the Eucharist and the ongoing feeding of God’s people.
• The miracle is not just physical—it points to the spiritual nourishment that Jesus alone can provide.

2. Abundance from Scarcity

• The miracle shows that divine grace is never stingy. Not only were all fed, but there were twelve baskets left over—a powerful image of God's abundant provision.
• The number twelve is symbolic: twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles—this miracle touches on God’s plan for the fullness of His people.

3. A Shared Meal in the Wilderness

• The setting is a deserted place, recalling the Israelites in the desert and God's provision of manna. Jesus becomes the new Moses—leading, teaching, and feeding the people.

4. The Role of the Disciples

• Jesus does not distribute the food directly. He gives it to the disciples to give to the people. This shows how the ministry of the Church continues Christ’s mission. It continues on today through our priests who distribute Holy Communion to their congregation and through the Eucharistic Ministers.
• The cooperation of the disciples mattered. They organize the people, distribute the food, and gather the leftovers. The miracle was given by Jesus but Jesus allowed it to flow through their hands. Jesus still allows His miracles to flow through our hands too if we cooperate.

5. A Hidden Lesson on Trust and Surrender

• The disciples first respond with worry: “We have only five loaves…” They see limitations. Jesus sees possibilities.
• The miracle happened after the disciples obeyed. Obedience unlocked abundance.

 

Personal Reflection Questions

• Where in my life am I being asked to “give them something to eat”? What do I see as my five loaves and two fish?
• Am I holding back because I think I do not have enough?
• Do I trust that when I offer my gifts to Jesus, He can multiply them?

 

REFLECTION.

The Feast of the Body and blood of Christ is a wonderful feast as it focuses on the unique gift of Himself given for us in the Eucharist.  On this wonderful feast we have a chance to renew our love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. As Catholics we believe that when we receive Holy Communion, Christ is truly present because of the words of consecration said by the priest at Mass although the appearance of the bread and wine remains. 

 

Many countries traditionally keep Corpus Christi on Thursday, but in Australia the celebration is moved to Sunday to make it more accessible and pastorally meaningful.  This approach mirrors similar adjustments made in other countries (e.g., the U.S., Canada, Ireland, England & Wales) targeting pastoral inclusion.

 

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Part B: Week 1 The Fruits of the Spirit ( overview)

 Come Holy Spirit Series. 

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit Series – 

Part Two: The Fruits of the Spirit

Week 1 – What the Spirit Grows Within Us

Welcome back to Come Holy Spirit, a journey we began seven weeks ago by looking deeply at the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit—those beautiful seeds planted in us at Confirmation and stirred again by grace.

Now we begin the next movement of our walk:
The Fruits of the Spirit—the outward signs that the gifts are active and alive within us.

This is how we know the Spirit is not just visiting, but dwelling and transforming.

 

What Are the Fruits of the Spirit?

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are listed in Galatians 5:22–23:

“The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

The Catholic tradition expands the list to 12, drawing from the Vulgate and Church tradition (Galatians + writings from early Fathers and spiritual reflection):

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Generosity
• Gentleness
• Faithfulness
• Modesty
• Self-control
• Chastity

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Q. 390
“The fruits of the Holy Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory.”

 

How Do the Fruits Relate to the Gifts?

The Gifts of the Spirit are planted in us. The Fruits of the Spirit are what grow when we nurture and live from those gifts.

For example:

• When we use the gift of Wisdom, we begin to bear the fruit of Peace.
• When Fortitude is active in our life, we start to see Patience and Faithfulness.
• When Piety and Fear of the Lord grow, they lead to Modesty and Chastity.

The gifts help us receive God's grace.
The fruits show that grace is shaping our lives.

 

Why Are the Fruits Important?

The Fruits of the Spirit are important because they show that the Holy Spirit is not just with us—but within us.

They are:

• Evidence that our lives are rooted in God.
• A spiritual compass when we feel dry or stuck.
• A way to witness to others without preaching—by our joy, patience, gentleness, and love.
• A measure of growth—not in perfection, but in direction.

They are what grow in us as we cooperate with the gifts.

 

How Can We Practice the Fruits in Daily Life?

Here are some gentle ways to begin “practicing” the fruits:

1. Awareness – Begin by naming them. Each morning, choose one fruit and pray: “Holy Spirit, help me live this fruit today.” We may wish to renew this prayer at lunch time and at evening time.
   
   
2. Examination – At the end of the day, reflect:
   “Where did I live this fruit today? Where did I resist it?”
   
   
3. Ask for Help –  It is important to have the right mindset about the fruits. We need to remember that these fruits are not achievements. They are responses to grace. If a fruit feels missing, ask for it honestly.
   
   
4. Let Them Flow – Fruits often show up when we stop striving and start surrendering. Make room for the Spirit by being quiet, praying honestly, and choosing love over ego.

 

Over the Next 12 Weeks...

We will take one fruit each week. We will reflect on it, explore Scripture, and see how it might be gently practiced in our lives—no pressure, just openness.

Each post will offer:

• A simple reflection
• Relevant Scriptures
• A “Soul Practice” for the week
• A closing prayer

Opportunity for Journaling our Journey: Making Room for the Fruits of the Spirit

During this week, we may wish to journal about the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Set aside 10–15 minutes this week to pray and write. Let the Spirit nudge your heart as you reflect: Here are some reflection questions to consider:

 

Understanding the Fruits

1. What do I currently know or believe about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit?
2. Have I ever consciously asked the Holy Spirit to grow these fruits in me?
3. Have I noticed any confusion in the past about the difference between gifts and fruits? If so, what’s becoming clearer now?

Seeing the Fruits

4. Which of the 12 fruits do I recognise in myself most easily?
5. Are there any fruits that I used to see in myself, but seem quieter or missing lately?
6. Are there any fruits I long to grow in more deeply right now? Why those?
7. Is there a fruit I find especially difficult to understand or practice?

Perception vs. Reality

8. How do I think others see me? Do I believe they see the fruits of the Spirit in me?

9.    Have I ever been surprised by someone else's perception of me? For example: Ask a couple you know well to share with you the fruits of the Spirit they see operating in you.

10. What does that reveal about how we might underestimate what the Spirit is doing in us—even when others see it clearly?

Moving Forward with the Spirit

11. What small, concrete step can I take this week to open my heart to one of the fruits?
12. How can I invite the Holy Spirit to show me what fruit He wants to grow in me right now?

Lord, I don’t always know what fruit is growing in me, or what others see.
Help me to see as You see, grow as You desire, and let Your presence bear quiet fruit in my life. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, Lord of Life,
You have planted gifts in me—now teach me how to let them grow.
Form in me the fruits of Your presence: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.
Let my life reflect You—not by force, but by the quiet beauty of grace alive within.
Amen.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Revisiting the Seven Gifts of the Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit.

 Week 8 — Revisiting the Seven Gifts
“Pentecost Has Come... What Now?”

Pentecost has just passed. The fire has fallen. The Church has been sent again.

But what happens next?

Do we simply return to “Ordinary Time,” business as usual?  Are we going to carry that fire into our everyday lives, one step at a time?

This week, before we move on to the Fruits of the Spirit, let us pause and revisit the Gifts the Holy Spirit has planted in us. Whether you read every post in the series or are just joining now, this is your invitation to reflect, remember, and respond.

The Seven Gifts at a Glance

1. Wisdom – Seeing with God’s Eyes

The gift that lets us desire what God desires, value what He values, and live with eternity in view.  “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

2. Understanding – Grasping God’s Truth

The grace to go beyond surface knowledge and feel the truth of God’s Word deep in our hearts.  “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

3. Counsel – Knowing What to Do

The gift of right judgment. The Spirit helps us make wise choices, especially when life is confusing or difficult. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

4. Fortitude – Courage to Keep Going

Holy perseverance. The strength to stand firm in faith, love boldly, and keep going when we want to give up. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

5. Knowledge – Seeing Creation in Light of the Creator

This gift helps us see the world and ourselves rightly—recognizing God’s hand in all things and avoiding false attachments. “The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains.” (Psalm 24:1)

6. Piety – Loving God as Father

A tender love for God that draws us to prayer, worship, and compassionate service—not out of obligation, but out of belonging. “We cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Romans 8:15)

7. Fear of the Lord – Awe That Awakens the Soul

Not terror, but holy reverence. The humility to remember that God is God—and we are His.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

 

Reflection Questions for the Week

• Which gift has been stirred in me most in recent weeks?

• Which one do I tend to forget, resist, or downplay?

• How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to live these gifts, not just know about them?
• How will I make a conscious effort to come to have a deep relationship with Holy Spirit? ( for example we might pray/sing sequence prayer of Pentecost each day/night.

 A Pentecost Invitation That Doesn't End

This week, choose one gift to focus on.
Ask the Holy Spirit to breathe on it again.
“Holy Spirit, thank You for Your gifts.
Fan into flame what You’ve begun in me.
Help me to live not by my strength, but by Yours.”
But for now—just be still.
Revisit. Reread. Rest in what has already been given. Be open to receiving more of what Holy Spirit has to offer us.  

You might say:

Next week, we begin the next phase: the Fruits of the Spirit—those beautiful signs that the Spirit’s presence is bearing fruit in our lives.

Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,

Thank You for Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, 

Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

Let these gifts shape my thoughts, strengthen my heart, and guide my steps.

Let Pentecost not be a moment I pass by—but a movement I live every day.

Come, Holy Spirit. 

Rest on me. Live in me. Work through me today and always.

Amen.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 7 Gift of the Fear of the Lord.

 Come Holy Spirit Series.

Come Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 7 — The Gift of Fear of the Lord

“The Awe That Opens the Heart”

Here we are—Week 7 of our Come Holy Spirit series.

We have explored six beautiful gifts of the Spirit, and now we arrive at the final gift listed. This gift is often misunderstood and sometimes avoided. However, it is so very essential.

Fear of the Lord is not about being frightened of God.
It is about being so deeply in love with Him, so aware of His majesty and mercy, that we never want to stray from His heart. Imagine how our lives would be so different if we never want to stray from His Heart. Let us pause right here and name one area of our life that could change if this is our constant perspective.

It is the awe that opens the soul.  It is the reverence that steadies the mind. It is the humility that makes room for all the other gifts.

 

What Does the Catechism Say About Fear of the Lord?

Q. 389. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
They are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (CCC 1830–1831)

 

What Is the Gift of Fear of the Lord?

Fear of the Lord is the gift that:

• Fills us with reverence and awe for God’s greatness.
• Helps us tremble—not in fear—but in love at the thought of hurting or offending Him.
• Keeps us rooted in humility and wonder, even as we grow close to Him.

It is the gift that makes us say:

“You are God… and I am not.
You are holy… and yet You invite me in.
I want to walk lightly in Your presence, with awe, with joy, with trust.”

Fear of the Lord is not the fear of punishment, father it is the fear of fear of losing intimacy with God who loves us so much.

 

Why Do We Need Fear of the Lord?

We need the gift of fear of the Lord because we live in a world that often forgets who God is. We need all the gifts but especially fear of the Lord because:

Fear of the Lord keeps us anchored when:

• Pride creeps in.
• We grow too casual with holy things.
• We rely too much on ourselves.
• We forget to be amazed.

It is a corrective lens that restores our sense of wonder, reverence, and perspective. The Holy Spirit gives us this gift to help us see God from His expansive lens not our own narrow lens.

 

How Can We Renew and Use the Gift of Fear of the Lord?

1. Gaze at the greatness of God.
Look at the stars. Read the Psalms. Sit in silence. Let your soul expand in wonder.

2. Be mindful of God’s presence.
God is everywhere. We can be more mindful of His presence in church.  We can genuflect being more mindful of Jesus in the tabernacle. God is in every room we walk into and in every person including ourselves.  Pause, honour Him there.

3. Keep your heart tender.
Let your love for God keep you alert to sin, not out of fear, but out of love for God.

4. Enter worship with reverence.
Let Mass, prayer, and Scripture stir our soul not as routine, but as holy encounter. Do we look forward to attending Mass, spending time with God in prayer and scripture?

5. Reflect on eternity.
Let the reality of Heaven, judgment, and God’s justice remind us how much your choices matter and how great His mercy is. Living today as if it our last can help us change our perspective on our choices- does this decision have an eternal perspective?  How keen are we to meet God face to face?

 

Scriptures That Reflect the Gift of Fear of the Lord

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”  Proverbs 9:10

“Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.”  Psalm 2:11

“His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.”  Luke 1:50 (The Magnificat)

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.”
— Philippians 2:12–13

 

Reflection Question for the Week

When was the last time I stood in awe before God—not just in words, but in my whole heart?
How might I invite more wonder, reverence, and humility into my walk with Him this week?

How will the feast of Pentecost impact us this year? What gifts do we want to receive from the Holy Spirit- let us ask Him to refresh, renew and restore all these gifts.

 

Daily Soul Moments: Fear of the Lord Week

• Sunday: Sit quietly for 5 minutes and reflect on God’s holiness. No words—just awe.
• Monday: Read Psalm 8. Let it stir wonder at God’s majesty and your smallness.
• Tuesday: Before prayer or Mass, pause and say, “You are holy, Lord.”
• Wednesday: Ask God to make your heart more sensitive to what pleases Him.
• Thursday: Reflect on eternity. Let it guide a choice you’re facing today.
• Friday: Confess any pride or self-reliance. Ask for humble awe to replace it.
• Saturday: End the week with the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). Pray it slowly, like Mary did.

 May our preparation for Pentecost be beautiful as we hope to receive Holy Spirit in the way we most need this year.

Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, Gift of Fear of the Lord,
Fill me with awe at the mystery of Your holiness.
Let me never grow casual with Your love, or careless in my steps.
Teach me to tremble in wonder, not in fear.
To walk in reverence, not in guilt.
To rejoice in You, not in myself.
Keep my heart soft, my soul alert, and my love strong.
You are holy—and You are mine.

This series will continue next week as we begin our consideration of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and how the gifts and the fruits are linked. Stay tuned.

Collect Series; Collect for Solemnity of Ascension Year C

 COLLECT SERIES

The Mass: Collect Series Icon.

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD.

 

 

The Collect for the Ascension of the Lord in Year C is as follows:

 

Gladden us with holy joys, Almighty God,

and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving,

for the Ascension of Christ Your Son is our exaltation,

and where the Head has gone before in glory,

the Body is called to follow in hope. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

 

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged.

1. Why am I asking God to gladden me with holy joys?
2. Why should I rejoice with devout thanksgiving on this Solemnity?
3. What does the Solemnity of the feast of the Ascension mean to me?
4. How will this Solemnity affect this coming week in my life?
5. How will I prepare my spiritual plan for this coming week?
6. How might I live in the glory and hope of the Ascension this week? 

WHY IS THE ASCENSION SO IMPORTANT TO US?.

The Ascension of Our Lord is essentially a feast of hope since we can look forward to eternal life. We must however not sit on our hands and wait. Christ has given us His command and we need to live lives worthily, so that we can enter through the narrow gate.

The other beautiful aspect of the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord is that Christ goes back to Heaven.  We feel His absence and yet, He lives on here on earth in the presence of each of us.

 Are we always aware of His presence to us?  How are we going to make His presence known to others?

 

THE FOUR-FOLD COMMAND OF CHRIST

 

The four-fold command of Christ to His disciples is a command to us and gives us a mission- a focus.

• Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations,
• Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
• Teach them to observe all the commands I gave you
• Know that I am with you until the end of time.

So how can we make disciples of all the nations? We need to be ready with our answer should someone asks us for our reason for our belief. 

 Most of us can evangelise others by not even saying a word- it is by the example of our lives we lead.

Evangelization does not have to be difficult.  If we are trying our best to live good Christian lives, other people will be attracted to it. Then when a casual question or conversation occurs, it may be our time to speak.  More importantly it is a time to listen, since it is the question of the enquirer that is important.  As the journey unfolds, then there will be a time for them to want to be baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit.  This will be God's timing, not ours, since it is God who is leading the person to Himself.  Then as their journey continues, it is time for learning and teaching (RCIA for example is part of the process), and as catholic pilgrims on the journey, we need to remember and encourage each other in our struggles knowing that Jesus is with us always.

 

So yes, the feast of the Ascension is a feast of hope of future glory. We need to have this hope in our hearts and try to live our lives now with this future glory in mind.

The Ascension of the Lord

 GOSPEL REFLECTION

Gospel Reflection on Luke 24:50–53

The Ascension Through Luke’s Eyes: A Departure That Blesses

In this short but rich passage, Luke offers a distinct portrayal of the Ascension not found in the same form in the other Gospels. While Mark (briefly) mentions the Ascension (Mark 16:19) and Matthew concludes with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20), only Luke gives us this tender, priestly image: Jesus lifting His hands and blessing them as He departs.

1. Jesus Blesses As He Leaves:

Luke alone presents this extraordinary detail: “While he was blessing them, he withdrew.”
This means the last physical act of Jesus on earth was to bless. Unlike earthly goodbyes that are often marked by sorrow or anxiety, Jesus’ farewell is bathed in divine peace. It is not a break in relationship but a deepening of it. He is not turning His back to them, but extending grace as He goes. His priestly gesture—hands raised in blessing—is reminiscent of Aaronic blessings (Numbers 6:24–26), yet here, it is Jesus as eternal High Priest.

Spiritual insight:
The Christian life begins and ends with blessing. Jesus leaves blessing behind, and this becomes the lens through which the disciples see His departure—not as loss, but as gift. Perhaps our own leavings and transitions can become occasions of blessing when lived in Him.

2. Great Joy Instead of Grief:

Another uniquely Lukan detail: “They returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”
At first glance, this is odd. Shouldn't they be sad? Their beloved Master is gone. But Luke frames the Ascension as a moment of joy, because the disciples now fully understand who Jesus is. His presence is not ended, but transformed. Their joy springs from the Spirit-filled anticipation of what is to come—Pentecost, mission, the birth of the Church.

Spiritual insight:
The Christian view of absence is always shadowed by presence. Just as Jesus was known in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:35), so now He is known in the broken moments of life. The joy of the disciples is a prophetic joy—anticipating union without visibility. This is Eucharistic living: encountering Christ in mystery.

3. Continuity With the Temple:

Luke also mentions that “they were continually in the temple blessing God.”
This echoes the start of the Gospel, which opens with Zechariah in the temple (Luke 1:8–9), and Simeon and Anna waiting in the temple (Luke 2:27, 37). Now, Luke ends Volume I (the Gospel) where it began—in the temple, but with a transformed people. Their worship is no longer a longing for redemption, but a response to its fulfilment.

Spiritual insight:
Worship is the natural response to revelation. Jesus has ascended, but worship keeps the heart tethered to heaven. The Church is born in praise, not in fear. Worship is no longer confined to a place, but begins in the temple and spills into the world. Luke sets the stage for this in Acts, where the Spirit will come and the Church will move from temple to every nation.

  Luke’s Gospel doesn’t end with a curtain falling. It ends with uplifted hands, open hearts, and a Church in praise. The Ascension isn't a retreat—it’s a launch. Jesus ascends, not to be absent, but to be present in a new way: in the Spirit, in the Word, in the Eucharist, in the community that worships and waits.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, may your final blessing over your disciples extend to us today.  

Help us to live in the joy of your presence, even when unseen.

May our lives be a temple of praise,

and our witness a continuation of your blessing to the world. Amen.

 

Next week, it will be Pentecost Sunday.   However, in the light of today's Solemnity, we can start to get ready this week with hope in our hearts and future glory in mind and examine our lives right now. We can then decide and prepare our own personal spiritual plan for the remainder of the year.

 

What will we do with Christ's 4-fold command this coming week in our family, parish, workplace and neighbourhood?