This weekend we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus Christ, which stands as a pivotal moment in the Christian story. The event reminds us that faith often flourishes in times of uncertainty, and at this time we certainly seem to be dealing with a lot of uncertainty.
In our First Reading, we witness Jesus ascending into heaven, leaving his apostles gazing upward, unsure of what comes next. Our Gospel records Jesus commissioning his followers to “make disciples of all nations,” promising His presence always, even as He departs physically. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Ascension marks not only Christ’s return to the Father but also the beginning of the Church’s mission (CCC 659-662). It is a moment of both loss and hope, a transition for which faith must take the lead.
As I prayed over our readings, I recalled a somewhat similar scene in Forrest Gump: Forrest has been running for over 3 years back and forth across the country and stops abruptly in the middle of the desert! He turns around to his band of followers and shrugs, “I’m pretty tired. Think I’ll go home now.”
As Forrest walks past them, his followers, confused and lost, ask, “Now what are we supposed to do?!” Forrest’s silence leaves them searching for direction, much like the apostles who had to step forward in faith after Jesus’ departure.
Both scenes could inspire us to embrace heroic trust, even when – especially when! – our path forward is unclear.
Since the bulletin deadline was prior to the Cathedral’s Listening Sessions this past Tuesday and Thursday, I’m not able to address what was discussed. I do suspect that like those early disciples and Forrest’s followers, we find ourselves asking what comes next in the AOD’s restructuring. The sessions presented an opportunity—though their results are still unknown, we hope that the Holy Spirit will guide us toward fruitful conversations and renewed purpose.
The apostles, bewildered at the Ascension, could not see the whole plan, but their trust in Jesus and openness to the Holy Spirit changed everything. Today, as we face our own uncertainties, we are called to embrace faith, confident that the Spirit is at work. Let us pray for guidance, unity, and courage, trusting that God’s plan unfolds even when we cannot see it fully. In these moments, hope becomes our anchor, and prayer our path forward.
In the peace of Christ,
Deacon Mike