Why he had to go? (May 16, Ascension Sunday, 2021)
Why did Jesus leave his apostles and disciples for heaven? Did he have to? Why did Christ promise to send the Holy Spirit while he departed from the earth? Could he not stay forever to govern the Church?
I think that he ascended to heaven because it was the best for his people, his Church to receive salvation. Every way the Word of God chose on earth was for the best and easiest way for man. He could have saved man without the Incarnation, the Passion, and the Resurrection. But the Son of God chose these ways because man could access the work of salvation with human senses and mental capacity. He chose the ways a man can see and hear and touch and understand. By becoming a true man, he opened the way a man can participate with his human faculties.
Then, what about the Ascension?
We do not like to say goodbye. We have a hard time losing our beloved ones. However, to become an independent and complete human person, one needs to be alone. The apostles and disciples could not have matured if they could have always depended on the Lord. They would not have become his witnesses if Christ had been on earth forever. But more seriously, they could not have interiorized the faith if Christ had remained as an external subject while the Holy Spirit had not descended and dwelled within them. Ironically, for Christ to dwell in every Christian, he had to depart from them into heaven. Then, the Holy Spirit could come down and accompany every Christian.
Do we stand only looking up toward heaven? Now is time to witness Christ. It is time to grow and bear fruit.
15 May 2021
Scripture and Tradition (May 15, Saturday before Ascension, 2021)
Today’s first reading from the Acts confirms the two deposits of Christian faith – they are the Scriptures and the Tradition.
A preacher named Apollos knew the Scriptures very well. And his knowledge enabled him to speak about Jesus accurately. It is because the Old Testament is in fact a preparation for the coming of the Messiah and Saviour. To know the Scriptures well means to know God’s promise to send the Messiah and Saviour. From the fall of the first parents of mankind, the Scriptures speak of the Saviour of mankind from sin. To know the Scriptures well grows and matures the faith in the Messiah and Saviour, who is Jesus Christ.
In the meantime, the first reading also introduces an interesting episode. The same Apollos, though well-versed in the Scriptures, had to learn more. Priscilla and Aquila, Christian laymen, taught Apollos more about the Gospel of Christ beyond the baptism of John. The Christian couple handed him what they received from the apostles – that is the Tradition. Only with the comprehensive Tradition, Christians can mature in faith and share their faith according to the teaching of Christ.
Reading and reflecting on the Bible is critical in our faith. But learning and studying the Bible with the help of the Tradition is as much vital because without the teaching authority of the Church people may fall into errors.
15 May 2021
Why gather to decide? (May 14, St Matthias, Apostle, 2021)
The occasion of electing the 12th apostle demonstrates a few principles of administration or decision-making in the Church.
First, it is the Holy Spirit who decides and operates. Peter or the assembly of the apostles and disciples could select the 12th apostle. But they submitted their will to the Holy Spirit. The Church does not operate by one human person or an assembly. The Church is not a monarchy or democracy. Christ is the Head, and his Spirit governs the Mystical Body, the Church.
Second, the Scriptures and the Tradition are the two sources of the faith. Peter quotes the Scriptural prophecy for its fulfillment to replace the place of Judas. And he presents a qualification for the replacing apostle. It was a disciple who witnessed all the ministry of Jesus but also the resurrection and ascension. From these eyewitnesses, the Church received her Tradition. And the apostles received all from Christ Jesus.
Third, then, why the apostles and disciples gathered for the election? The gathering warrants the transparency of the process to remove any doubt and suspicion. But to gather in his name is what Jesus commanded for the guarantee of his presence. The Holy Spirit is present in the Church assembly. And he reveals his divine will in the Church gathering. Jesus called us as his friends to whom he let his will known.
Although Jesus had ascended to heaven, his Spirit governed the Church. It has been the same ever since. The Church is never a human institution. When we gather, Christ is with us.
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