We are between the great Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost, which means we have this Sunday to contemplate Our Lord’s return to the Father forty days after His Resurrection, and to prepare for the promised coming of the Holy Spirit ten days later.

We say in the Creed, “He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Having completed His earthly mission of redeeming us, JESUS entered into glory not only in His divinity, but also in His humanity. In other words, He didn’t leave His human nature behind. He took it with Him, which means the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, God the Son, now reigns in Heaven as man. This shows us the dignity of our humanity, and the destiny He wants for each of us: where He has gone, we hope to follow. “I am going now to prepare a place for you, so that where I am you may be too” (John 14:3).

Apart from reigning in Heaven as King of the Universe, He also intercedes for us. We read in the Letter to the Hebrews, “He always lives to make intercession for us” (7:25). Many of the saints speak of how Our Lord pleads for us by showing the Father the five Wounds on His hands, feet and side – the Wounds that paid the price of our redemption. Those Wounds will remain on His glorified Body for eternity, and are a constant prayer to the Father on our behalf, reminding Him of the mercy won through the Passion of His Son.

Then we look towards Pentecost. The Apostles and Our Lady spent nine days praying in the Upper Room for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This was the first novena, from the Latin ‘novem’ meaning nine. Hopefully we’re doing the same, asking God to renew the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. And this is going to be reflected in our parish in a very special way next Tuesday, when Bishop Patrick will be coming to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on forty of our parishioners. What a grace it is to have it so close to the Feast of Pentecost itself. Just as the Apostles were strengthened by the Holy Spirit and sent out at Pentecost, so these Confirmandi will receive the Holy Spirit, be strengthened and become Soldiers of Christ, bearing witness to Him in the world. Please keep them all in your prayers.

And let us all prepare well for the coming fire of Pentecost. Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your life in a deeper way – to guide you, strengthen you and set your heart ablaze with love of God and zeal for His Kingdom and the salvation of souls. “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.”

Fr Paul Gillham, IC