Today the Christian Church celebrates the feast of the Ascension of Christ into heaven – the day on which he gave “the great commission” to his disciples and to us to spread the message of love and unity to the world. It is evident from the first reading for today (Acts 1:1-11) that even after all the post-resurrection appearances of Christ to them, they still did not understand what was happening as they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” His answer was for them to wait for the outpouring of the Spirit, which they did in hiding and perplexity for the nine days between now and the feast of Pentecost.

Perhaps we might take these days as a “novena” ourselves, praying until Pentecost for a new outpouring of the power of God’s Spirit in our world and in our own lives. As we make that intention, we have a blessing wish from Paul (EPH 1:17-23) to accompany us:

Brothers and sisters: May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your heart be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which you are called…