Ascension of the Lord
May 4, 2008

“When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.”
Matthew 28:17

Reflection
It’s amazing how often, in today’s readings, the disciples get things wrong. The first reading tells us that they’re wrong about Jesus restoring the kingdom to Israel, and they have to be corrected about where they’re directing their gaze. The Gospel tells us plainly that when they saw the risen Lord, “they worshiped, but they doubted.”

How often we find ourselves in the same boat: We expect God to act in a certain way and are surprised when that doesn’t happen. We’re looking the wrong way and miss the miracle in front of us. We come to worship filled with doubts, distractions, and worries about whether the psalmist will be able to hit that high note.

Yet, as was the case with the disciples, God still acts through us and fills us with the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation,” helping us to recognize what Pope Benedict XVI claimed as the central message of this solemnity: “Heaven is a person: ‘Jesus himself is what we call “heaven”.’”

Prayer
Lord, through our ministry, give us a glimpse of your glory and help us to discover ourselves in that glimpse. May we have the joy of experiencing how, through your ascension, you have carried human nature into the very life of God and transformed us forever. 

Gordon E. Truitt
National Association of Pastoral Musicians
Silver Spring, Maryland

Song of the Week
SING A NEW CHURCH (Text by Delores Dufner, OSB; c. 1991; The Sisters of St. Benedict; published by OCP Publications.)

Verse 4:
Bring the hope of every nation;
Bring the art of every race.
Weave a song of peace and justice;
Let it sound through time and space.
Let us bring the gifts that differ
And, in many splendid ways,
Sing a new church into being,
One in faith and love and praise.

Common Good Connections:
Pope Benedict is making it his job these days to promote a life of virtue as being a life of joy.  Too often, he seems to be saying, we picture living a Christian life as drudgery and, frankly, a pain in the you-know-what.  I've observed that kind of reaction in many people when it comes in particular to being concerned about issues of peace and justice.  It seems to many that once you start seeing the world and faith in terms of the common good, you get swallowed up in problems and worries.

Emma Goldman, a radical and feminist, once said, " If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution."  I would agree with that.  Who wants to be wrapped up in something that is ALWAYS hard and a "downer?"  Sure, being concerned about the common good is often difficult, but it can also bring moments of joy.  This week's song, "Sing a New Church," paints a wonderful picture of a joyful church community made up of the gifts and talents and beauty of all of God's people.  The Reign of God is one of justice and peace, struggle and joy... as well as music and dancing!

Wednesday, April 30
Our last Common Prayer of the semester will be lead by a group of SNC seniors.  All are welcome to help with the music for our final Wednesday gathering of the year!

Thursday, May 1
For our last regular Music Ministry practice of the year, we'll be playing the ever-popular "Name that Tune."  This is a chance for each person to name their favorite song that we do at Old St. Joe's and have everyone sing it.  Along with that, we'll be finishing up our prep for "I Have Been Anointed"... a great song that we'll do as a prelude for this weekend's liturgies.  We'd love a great turnout to give this song a "big sound," so we hope to see you at 7:30 PM!  (Oh yeah... we'll have root beer floats, too!)

Sunday, May 4 
Everyone's welcome to help lead the music for our final regular weekend of the academic year, and to send all the students on their way with a blessing - masses at our usual times of 10 AM and 7 PM.

Thursday, May 8
Practice at 7:30 PM for the Baccalaureate Mass on Graduation Sunday.  We'd love to have all of you take part!

Sunday, May 11
Baccalaureate Mass in Schuldes at 9:30 AM.

Acts 1:1-11
Why are you standing here looking into the sky?  Jesus has been taken into heaven. 

Psalm 66
God mounts his throne to shouts of joy; a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Ephesians 1:17-23
He made Jesus to sit at his right hand in heaven.

Matthew 28:16-20
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.