1. Today Mass was celebrated for all of you, the parishioners, and for the repose of the soul of Marie Coon Brown (by Mary Johnson).
2. Here is the Sign-Up sheet for this coming week. Again, if you were at Mass this current week, please do not sign up for the coming week. Mass sign up https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ckd9YptMsyOxglrGqkTWRnzPZTuL-cDbPqoE7pm04_4/edit?usp=sharing
Our first meeting will be tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30 pm at the parish facebook page. There will be a brief teaching segment, and then the novena prayer itself that we will pray together. I'll send along the prayer in a separate email.
To understand the Ascension, it's very helpful to enter into the mindset and experience of the Apostles and members of antiquity. An important feature of their experience was that of victory and enthronement celebrations. For example, if a general or commander won a victory in war, he would be treated to a festive parade in the capital city. For instance, the city of Rome is littered with victory arches commemorating the victories of various emperors and commanders. The victory parade would commemorate his contribution to the city by his wartime service. Similarly, emperors, kings, or rulers would be treated to enthronement ceremonies. At one moment, when the current ruler died, they would be the next in line, but at a distinct moment they would assume the crown.
The closest parallel in our own experience (pretty lame by comparison!) is the inauguration of a president. Note too that there are two separate moments: one, the victory of the election, and then the second when he takes office. His taking office, moreover, is an important, solemn moment, not just a formality.
So too with the Ascension of Jesus. The Apostles understood it as, and St. Paul describes it as a victory parade. St. Paul notes that Jesus ascends far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and that God the Father has seated him him at his right hand in the heavens. In doing so, God the Father has put all things beneath his feet, and has made him as head over all things. That is, Jesus is now in the throne room. He is above every other power, and therefore in command of every other power. No one has authority over him any more. Although the victory occurred at the Resurrection, the victory parade and enthronement ceremony occurs today, 40 days later. Christ the King has taken his place at the Father's right hand.
St. Paul reminds us that this fact is relevant for all of us. He says that God the Father gives Jesus as head over all things to the church, which is his body. Do you see? Jesus has been established as head over all things, King of the Universe, mighty conqueror, prince of prince. As such he is given to the Church. His authority is for our benefit, to encourage us, to lead us, to foreshadow our own free destiny in his grace. The victory parade is joyous not only because of God's great victory in Jesus Christ, but also because we Christians are in the parading procession.