We have celebrated the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord – his return to the “place” rightfully his as the Son of God. He has returned from the place in which he chose to stand, to teach, to serve, to comfort, to heal, to forgive. It was also the place in which he would suffer, sacrifice, and die with us and for us. Both his cross and the empty tomb changed forever the place in which WE stand.
This weekend, we also celebrate “Mother’s Day.” From Mary, the Mother of Jesus and her mother, St. Anne, through a history of exemplary mothers raised to the honor of sainthood in the Church, to the women of strength, dedication, and sacrifice whose love launched the generations of our families, to the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and “other” mothers whose love has given some measure of shape and strength to our lives, the reasons for remembering and celebrating today are beyond my reach and my ability to count. To you who stand in this procession of women whom we honor, may God bless you with joy and with peace!
This weekend marks our final Sunday of Easter, and we anticipate with deep desire the renewal of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, next weekend. “The place where they were gathered” might seem distant from us in terms of history and geography, but is one and the same with the place in which we stand, day by day, and where we gather each time we do so. The Spirit in which we are bathed, first known at Pentecost and celebrated with full solemnity next week, is that pledge and is the grace which forms and strengthens us to be in and to go into the world with him at all times! Alleluia!
Next weekend we will welcome our seminarian intern for the next ten weeks. Please join me in offering the hospitality, companionship on the journey, and spiritual encouragement of our parish to Christian Cortes as he takes his place among us! In my own memories of my journey to priesthood, my internships in parishes of the Diocese of Worcester stand out as occasions of great joy and wonderful insight into the life of the Church! May Christian find this with us!
Fr. Tom