"I will not leave you orphans."

Forty days after Easter, it is the feast of Ascension. Depending on the country, it is celebrated on Thursday (40th day) or on the following Sunday. It is the celebration of the departure of Jesus, as described in the book of the Acts of the Apostles; this departure is also briefly mentioned at the end of the Gospel of St. Luke.

Jesus referred to this departure: "it is good for you that I go away." It is a separation; and yet the disciples live it in joy (Luke 24.52). It is true that Jesus promised them, "I am with you every day until the end of time."

But Jesus himself seems to have been worried about this departure. He knew the fragility of his disciples: they had so much difficulty in understanding and accepting his teachings; they fled when he was arrested; Peter himself has renounced him...

Jesus also knows the world in which the disciples will live. He is not well disposed to accept the Gospel message. Much more: "I gave them your Word and the world took them into hatred."

However, Jesus asks the father not to withdraw his disciples from the world, but to keep them from the Evil.

That is why, when Jesus disappeared in the eyes of the disciples, they are invited to look to this world: "men of Galilee, why do you keep staring at the sky?"  Look more at the world where Jesus sent you. Look at the men and women to whom you are going to carry a message of love and joy.

That was a long time ago. It is still today. He defeated the world. He's with us until the end of time.

Father François MAUPU

Prayer for the vocations

Mary, mother of the "Yes,"

Teach us to taste the light breeze

of the spirit that works in us.

Help us find the way

of interiority to mature our commitments.

and our choices with an intense desire for holiness.

Mary, mother of Jesus,

you listened to the tone of his voice

and the beating of his heart.

Put your feelings into our lives,

your docility, your silence that listens and transforms

the word in choice of true freedom.

Mary, mother of the Church, intercede with the Father.

Let him lay in the hearts of young

the seed of his call and the joy of answering

Let him enlighten and fortify those who are called

to give themselves fully on the way

of marriage, of the priesthood and of consecrated life.

Amen !

(National service for evangelization

Youth and vocations

Conference of the Bishops of France)