“... now I go to him that sent me, and none of you asks, ‘Where will you go?’ But because I have spoken these things sorrow fills your heart. I tell you the truth; it is expedient that I go.” (cf Jn 16:5-7)
Such was the unselfish love of Jesus for us. His Ascension was for our interest, our advantage; and not the rest, bliss and glory promised to his sacred humanity.
To the very last moment of his sensible presence on earth he forgot himself, and thought only of us. It was thus during his whole life, from the stable where he wept to Calvary, when he told the women, “Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me, but weep for yourselves and your children” (Lk 23:28).
“If I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn 16:7-8) Why couldn’t the apostles receive the Holy Spirit before his ascension?
St Augustine, especially, insists on one reason: The attachment of the apostles to his bodily presence was too human and sensible. Their love for him was too natural, imperfect. The sensible object of their love, the ‘humanity’ of the Word, should be removed. Otherwise, they could not receive the fulness of the Holy Spirit; and cannot be really spiritual men.
“And when he comes, he will teach you all truth.” (Jn 16:13) When the Holy Spirit possesses a soul, it always produces two effects -- 1) a spirit of sanctity which censures with the slightest sin, corrects and rectifies a defective judgment, and shows the great insufficiency of imaginary goodness; and 2) a spirit of light which instructs about duties, helps to understand and relish eternal truths, always shows new means and practices of advancing in perfection.
Compare our love for God with that disinterested love Jesus has shown. We will probably find our love has so much self-love mixed up in it. The generous efforts we sometimes make to avoid sin or to practise virtue is, mainly, if not entirely, influenced by the fear of punishment or the hope of reward.
The presence of Jesus was an obstacle to the reception by the apostles of the fulness of the Holy Spirit. What should we think of our affection for so many objects, which when removed touches us so deeply?
Do we perceive and feel these wonderful operations of the Holy Spirit? Are we docile to them; attentive to the movements they produce in our heart? If we cannot answer 'yes', we can conclude our interior life is poor or absent. We are insensible, not docile, to the inspirations of grace. “... stiff-necked, in heart you always resist the Holy Spirit!” (Acts 7:51)
Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp243-6
` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` `
Mary and her Immaculate Conception
“How would we have acted, if we have chosen our own mother? I’m sure we would have chosen the one we have, adorning her with every possible grace. That is what Christ did. Being all-powerful, all-wise, Love itself, his power carried out his will... This is the clearest reason why Our Lord granted his Mother, from the very moment of her immaculate conception, all possible privileges. She was free from the power of Satan. She is beautiful, spotless and pure in soul and body.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 171)
Let us offer our Mother: ‘The renewal of our baptismal vows.’ (Please refer to Easter Sunday.)
Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p305
A Rosebud
Dear little friends, this beautiful rosebud is for you; it is one of the beads of your Rosary, and it may seem to be such a tiny thing. But if you only knew how precious this bead is! This wonderful bud will open out into a gorgeous rose if you say your ‘Hail, Mary’ really well.
It would be too much to expect you to say the whole fifteen mysteries every day, but do say at least five mysteries, and say them properly with love and devotion. This Rosary will be your little wreath of roses, your crown for Jesus and Mary. Please pay attention to every word I have said -- and listen carefully to a true story I would like you to remember.
Two little sisters were saying the Rosary very devoutly in front of their home. A beautiful Lady suddenly appeared, walked towards the younger -- who was only about six or seven -- took her by the hand, and led her away. Her elder sister, very startled, looked for the little girl everywhere.
At last still not having found her, she went home and heart-brokenly told her parents that her sister had been kidnapped. For three days the poor father and mother sought the child but could not find her. At the end of the third day, they found her at the front door looking extremely happy and pleased.
Naturally they asked her where on earth she had been, and she told them the Lady to whom she had been saying her Rosary had taken her to a lovely place where she had given her delicious things to eat. She said the Lady had also given her a Baby Boy to hold, that He was very beautiful and that she had kissed Him over and over again.
The father and mother, who had been converted to the Catholic Faith only a short time before, sent at once for the Jesuit Father who had instructed them for their reception into the Church and who had also taught them devotion to the Most Holy Rosary. They told him what had happened. This priest told me this story. It took place in Paraguay.
So, dear children imitate these girls. Say your Rosary every day as they always did. If you do, you will earn the right to go to heaven and see Jesus and Mary.
Ref: St Louis de Montfort, “The Secret of the Rosary”, 1954, pp15-6
• Our Lady, on the Mount of Olives, witnesses the Ascension of Our Lord, and then returns to Jerusalem, to retire into the upper room with the apostles. — Acts i. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady’s presence at the Ascension. (www.starharbor.com/santiago/m feasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles. (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
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