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As we pass through these 50 days in the Easter Season we take note that there are three major events that occur. The first of course is the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday which starts the 50 day clock of the Easter Season. Over the first 40 days, Jesus appears to more than 500 of his disciples to help them believe that he has indeed risen from the dead and prepares them to continue to pass on the faith without him. After these 40 days of preparation, Jesus is ready to ascend to heaven. This is the second event that we celebrate today, The Ascension of The Lord where Jesus’ resurrected body ascends to heaven to be seated at the right hand of God the Father.

His Ascension is not to be viewed as Jesus abandoning us. It is about Jesus empowering us. He does not leave us alone, he sends us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us giving us God’s support and guidance to continue what he started. This is the third major event which we call Pentecost. It is up to us, with God’s help to bring to life this new age of God into the lives of all people. You can look at the Easter Season as Jesus lighting the fire under us, the Holy Spirit fanning the flames and we are to spread the fire throughout the world. God’s trusting us to step up to this challenge. He begins with the Apostles to enlighten the next generation. They in turn pass this on to us and we to others. This is called the Great Commission.

Jesus commissioned the Apostles at his Ascension as stated in the Gospel today: “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…” Before they began, they had to wait until Jesus sent them the Holy Spirit. The First reading specifically states: “… in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

We are at the point during these last 10 days of the Easter Season, after the Ascension, where we wait and prepare for Jesus to send to the Apostles the Holy Spirit. It was at Pentecost that Jesus Baptized the Apostles with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:3-4 it states: “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” The Apostles could now baptize others in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Pentecost is considered the starting point of the Apostles mission. It is the Day they “Go Forth”. It is considered the birthday of the Church.

The commissioning of the first disciples at Jesus’ Ascension also applies to us because we too are disciples of Jesus. We are commissioned by Christ to be active participants in the mission of the Church. We, like the first disciples of Christ, are to bring his message of salvation to the non-believers that cross our path in life. We are to embody his selfless acts of love and mercy and be Christ to others. We through our baptism have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to live our life as Christ would. Our commitment to this calling is strengthened through our Confirmation and participation in the Eucharistic feast.

Now let’s take a moment and take a good honest look at ourselves. Have we embraced this personal calling of us by Christ? We need to take these next 10 days, like the disciples of Jesus’ time, and come to terms on what the Great Commission means to our personal faith journey. This time is a preparation time to understand how to be Christ to others. We need to prepare to “Go Forth” at Pentecost.

So how do we prepare? In Matthew 25:40 it states: “… Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Do we actually see the face of Jesus in every person we meet or would we need to change our actions? Our reality is to see Jesus even in the worst of the worst. How real is this for us?

Can we look past the ugliness of someone else’s sinfulness and see them as Christ would? How often do we not only cast a stone but are willing to cast the “first” stone at someone we find fault with. Understand that they are a lost sheep needing someone to shepherd them home. We are not to judge them and pass sentence. Be an example of unconditional love so they can experience real and authentic love. Maybe they have never experienced it before. What a gift you would truly give them.

To be commissioned, to be disciples, is no easy task. We are human with our own weaknesses to deal with. The difference for us is that we have been given the commission by Christ to be Christ to others and we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen our resolve.

Do you believe in these precious gifts Christ has given us? Do you believe in our bodies being a temple of the Holy Spirit with God dwelling within us? If you say yes do your actions demonstrate that belief?

Jesus has Ascended to heaven, seated at the right hand of God The Father to judge the living and the dead. Let us rejoice that our Judge is Jesus, our loving and merciful God. He loves us so much that he sent the Holy Spirit to guide us to all truth. The question is are we listening? Are we ready to make a difference in the lives of others. We must answer this question of ourselves during this 10 day preparation time before Pentecost.

If we answer yes, then on Pentecost we renew our missionary obligation with Jesus to “Go Forth” and bring the good news of Christ’s love and mercy to all those we meet during our lives. Be the light of Christ to them. Be the guiding light of Christ to the lost sheep in your life and lead them home to the Lord. See Jesus in everyone you meet. Be prepared to “Go Forth”.