My dearest brothers and sisters in Christ, pilgrims on this earthly journey, as we gather our hearts and minds for this morning's Office, let us lift our gaze heavenward. Only yesterday, on the Feast of the Ascension, we beheld in spirit our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, taken up from our sight to sit at the right hand of the Father. This glorious departure, though it brought a pang of earthly separation to the Apostles, was in truth the sublime culmination of His salvific work and the inauguration of a new, profound presence.
The Glorious Enthronement and Our Enduring Hope
Consider, dear souls, the mystery of the Ascension. It is not an abandonment but an enthronement. Our Lord did not simply vanish; He was received into the celestial spheres, where He now intercedes for us without ceasing. His humanity, once veiled in humble flesh, is now glorified and reigns with the Father. In this very act, Christ elevates human nature itself, assuring us of our own heavenly destiny, if we but remain faithful to His divine will.
The disciples, though initially perplexed, were filled with joy, for they knew the promise: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18). This promise, uttered by the Master, is the very foundation of our hope and the bedrock of our mission. His physical absence makes possible His spiritual omnipresence through the Holy Spirit, whom He promised to send.
The Mandate and the Awaiting Heart
Before His Ascension, our Lord gave His final, momentous command: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). This is the Church's perpetual mandate, the very heartbeat of our existence as the Mystical Body of Christ.
Yet, He also instructed them: “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, you heard from me” (Acts 1:4). This waiting is not idleness, but a profound period of prayer, communal discernment, and ardent desire for the coming Paraclete. It is in this spirit that we, too, must approach our daily tasks, our missionary endeavors, and our sacred artistry. We work with our hands, but our hearts remain attentive to the divine whispers, awaiting the fresh outpouring of grace and inspiration from on High.
Each missionary who journeys to distant lands, each artisan who shapes wood or paints icons with devout hands, is participating in this divine mandate, fulfilling Christ's command to bring His light to every corner of creation. This sacred work, however, cannot be accomplished by human strength alone. It requires the power of the Holy Spirit, the very breath of God.
Working on Earth with Hearts in Heaven
How, then, do we live out this glorious reality in the midst of our earthly duties? We do so by continually lifting our minds and hearts to Him who reigns in glory, even as our hands engage in the diligent service of His Kingdom here below. Every act of charity, every prayer offered, every sacred object crafted, every soul converted, is a participation in Christ's ongoing mission.
“We must never want anything but what God wills, and we must be ready to do His will without delay, and always in love.” — Saint Francis de Sales
Let this wisdom of Saint Francis de Sales guide us. In our earnest desire to fulfill the Lord's will, let us cultivate a spirit of patient readiness, knowing that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth and Love, will empower us. We are called to be channels of divine grace, not just through grand endeavors, but through the sanctity of our ordinary lives, lived with extraordinary faith.
Therefore, as we begin this day, let our hearts be filled with profound hope and unwavering courage. The Lord has ascended, but He has not abandoned us. He has prepared a place for us, and He has sent His Spirit to guide us. Let us pray fervently for that same Spirit to descend upon us, upon all missionaries, and upon all artisans who dedicate their talents to the glory of God, that our earthly mission may truly reflect Heaven's eternal call.
O Divine Paraclete, Comforter of souls, descend upon us anew this day. Strengthen our hearts and hands, ignite within us the fire of Your love, and guide us in fulfilling Christ's sacred mandate, that all creation may come to know His saving grace. Amen.