The Solemnity of The Ascension of Christ into Heaven

Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11)._

Today the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension.   The Ascension of Christ into heaven is one of the most important events recorded in the New Testament.  St. Luke wrote a two-part history of the origins of Christianity. Volume one is the Gospel that bears his name. Volume two is the book of Acts of the Apostles.  And the Ascension was so important for Luke, that he ended volume one with: (Luke 24:50-51), begins volume two by reporting it again (Acts 1:9-11), and then refers back to it several times in the book of Acts.  
Luke presents the Resurrection and Ascension as the key salvific events.  For St. Luke, The Ascension accounts for why the appearances of Jesus during the forty days following his resurrection ceased. The Ascension also foreshadowed the final event in salvation history: Jesus’ personal, physical, glorious return to His Father.  And equally, the Ascension unlocks the portal for a new reality (Pentecost)which will transform and bring about the birth of the early Christian Community, the first of its kind.   Yes, His Ascension is our own pledge of future glory, where He has gone in power, we anticipate in hope.  Happy Solemnity of Ascension.  
*Reflection on the Holy Spirit continues:  on the Personality of the Holy Spirit: *
2.  The Holy Spirit has a mind.
St. Paul in His letter to the Romans,  8:27, he says:  “And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
When we examine them word “mind” in the original Greek language “myaló” contains the ideas of “knowledge” “feeling” and “purpose.” 
Consequent upon the above meaning of mind, God himself knows the thoughts, the feelings and the will of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows God’s as well. The Holy Spirit knows the Father. If we have the Holy Spirit living within us then we are opened to the to Jesus Christ himself. (1 Corinthians 2:16) It is a wonderful thing to know that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us perfectly according to God’s will. If we have the Holy Spirit operating freely in our lives then we will be able to live according to God’s will.
Spirit of the Father, Spirit of the Son, feel us with your power that our being base and doing base might be pleasing to the Father.  Amen. 

Bible Passages for Meditation and Prayers: 
–  Isaiah 61:1- Psalm 141-Matthew 24:4-8

*May Devotion, Day 21: Mystery of Light.
-Divine Mercy Reflection: 
*The Lord’s peace dispels evil*: 
It is important to recognize the existence of the evil one, satan.  And it’s important to realize his anger and hatred.  His hatred is of greater intensity than we may be able to understand.  It is beyond his control to cease hating us and seeking to destroy us with all his powers.  
Why is it important to know this?  Because when we receive some attack from the evil one, either directly or through the “inspired” anger of another, we tend to react with fear, scandal, or anger ourselves.  We tend to want to fight back.  But if we understand the intense hatred of the devil, we will realize that he desires to draw us into his hatred and anger.  
Therefore, the best response to any experience of his hatred is to turn from him and his attacks and to remain at peace with God.  The peace of our soul will dispel him and all he seeks to do to us.  His anger is not worth even a moment of our attention or engagement (see Diary #713).
How do you react to the evil one and his attacks?  Do you recognize his insidious but vile ways?  Can you discern his attempts to steal your peace and turn your focus to fear rather than faith?  Reflect, today, upon the crucifix and turn your eyes to this saving act of perfect love given by our Savior.  By turning to the Lord in all things, His peace remains and He will dispel the dark attacks of him who hates us.
Lord, I turn my eyes to You and give my mind, heart, feelings and passions to You and You alone.  Free me from foolish fear and from all attacks from the evil one.  May I discern his evil ways and reject their effects by trusting in You and You alone.  Jesus, I do trust in You.
May your love be upon Us O Lord, as we place all our trusts in You. 
We shall overcome in His Name. 
Frs A&M