stare or share?
“Why do you stand here looking up at the skies?” —Acts 1:11
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles stared so long into the sky that “two men dressed in white,” presumably angels, addressed them, saying, “Men of Galilee…why do you stand here looking up at the skies?” (Acts 1:10-11) We modern-day people likewise spend a lot of time staring and standing around. We stare at the TV and our handheld electronic devices. We “people-watch.”
If we must stare, let’s stare like this:
- stare at the Scriptures, reading them daily (Acts 17:11),
- stare upon the face of the Lord in Eucharistic Adoration (see Ps 27:4), and
- stare at our loved ones with gratitude.
We need someone to rouse us to go out into the world and proclaim that since Jesus is risen and ascended, we have been given the promise of the Father (see Lk 24:49).
Now that Jesus has ascended, the Holy Spirit has descended with many gifts to help us live fruitful lives of evangelization (Eph 4:10-11). Be “witnesses” of the Good News of “penance for the remission of sins” (Lk 24:47-48). Give glory to Jesus for opening the way to heaven for us all (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 666-667).
Prayer: Ascended Jesus, thank You for interceding for me from heaven (1 Jn 2:1). Give me the grace to share the Good News with everyone I meet.
Promise: “See, I send down upon you the promise of My Father.” —Lk 24:49
Praise: Jesus “was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit; seen by the angels; preached among the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up into glory” (1 Tm 3:16). Alleluia!
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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