Pastoral Ponderings
May 20, 2012
"Congratulations To Our Confirmandi:"
Today we mark a true milestone in our parishioners path of life. This portion of your journey ended and a new enlightened and sacred stretch lies ahead. Our prayer for you is in the words prayed by our Bishop today: “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” May the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead raise you to a newness of life to live your faith as adults in this world. May Jesus’ gift of the Holy Spirit, to those first disciples of his, be your gift to strengthen you in your lives ahead.
We also thank all who have prepared and brought these candidates to this day. This includes parents and sponsors, catechists, facilitators and teachers, program presenters, along with Fr. Michael and Mrs. Sue Cotton. You have all worked very hard and well together. Our special thanks to Bishop James Quinn for his presence here today.
The More Fundamental Question: Why?
Not why did Jesus have to return to the Father, but why did he come to live among at all? It’s not that Jesus had nothing else to do and thought this human existence might be an interesting and challenging adventure. He came to bring us back to his father—to shepherd us through this earthly path to the kingdom for which we were created.
He promised to come back for us, to take us to himself—to the place he went to get ready for us. For our real home is not here, as much as we might like it here and think it’s going to last forever. It’s not. If you think about it, there is always a hint of unfulfillment in our lives, something missing. That fulfillment we long for is God in heaven, our true and lasting home.
We profess so easily and by memory, each week that we “look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” Ascension Day is also a reminder that we should not become too attached to this world and all the “things” associated with it. I’m certain the apostles didn’t want Jesus to leave. His challenge was to move from the known and comfortable to a new way of being with him and he with them. Christ is able to draw good from everything. May we be able to always recognize that goodness.
-Fr. Lawrence Martello
Pastor
