From the very first day that I became conscious of the story of the Ascension of Our Lord, I was puzzled by St. Luke's account that the disciples returned to Jerusalem rejoicing. I remember saying good-bye to people I loved and it hurt so much that I had to seclude myself for a day to let the pain heal. How could they be filled with joy as their beloved Master disappeared from their view?
I am sure scripture scholars have written volumes on just this point. The first ordinary human explanation would be a generous joy for Jesus who had suffered so much and who would now be in glory with His Heavenly Father. Our Holy Father Francis reminded us to be happy because now we had an "advocate" (the Italian word is the same as "lawyer") who would now be pleading for us with the Father.... asking the forgiveness of our sins because He had himself experienced the pain and human weakness which is our lot.
As I reflect on Luke's final message in his Gospel I realize that it was written several decades after the event. The disciples have experienced Jesus' presence with them in the Holy Spirit. They have obeyed the mandate to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The command to preach was not limited to the immediate followers of Jesus but rings down through the ages to us. How should and do we "preach" the Good News? It is by cultivating joy, first in our own hearts and then shining the light of Christ into our dreary world. There cannot be serious holy joy without contact with Christ in prayer. It is in the quiet moments, however long or short we take from our busy days to remember the presence of God and the constant promise of Jesus' friendship and help that we "fill up" on true joy. Then in our ordinary encounters we cannot be other than a light of hope to those who are part of our daily lives. St. Francis invited his followers to accompany him on a preaching mission, saying they would use words "when necessary." This points out a very important truth: We are preaching by our very presence! Is our message one of joy and hope, or agitated anger and despair? A good clue would be a simple glance into the mirror.
Several years ago in Albania I met two Irish sisters who were retired from many years of teaching in their homeland and who received permission to go to Albania, a country that had become a Communist Atheistic wasteland. They did not know the language, but rented an apartment in an ordinary neighborhood and said their prayers in the small garden, with only smiles to greet those they met. Gradually they formed a children's choir to accompany the Eucharistic celebrations. They did not know the meaning of the Albanian words the children sang, but gradually learned them and let the music insert the meaning into their hearts. They became a helper to the busy local priest and so were building the Kingdom where it had been devastated. Never underestimate the power of a friendly smile!!!!
