As We Share In His Glory...
Dear Parishioners,
Last Thursday (Ascension), we celebrated Jesus’ last appearance to his apostles. It must be a strange but emotional experience for them, watching Jesus disappear into the cloud. They remained speechless, lost in wondering until an angel appeared, explaining to them that Jesus would return some day in like manner.
The disciples followed the instruction of Jesus to remain until the Advocate, Holy Spirit, is sent to them. They prayerfully waited for the hour that Spirit will come. This act teaches us the importance and value of prayer in our daily lives. They would soon come to realize that they were incapable of doing the work without the aid of the promised Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The disciples showed great faith in Jesus. They did not know exactly what was going to happen; they did not disregard the instruction, but they were prepared for whatever the Lord chose to do.
What is your disposition when things go the wrong way or when you are confused and saddled with difficult life situations? Do you pray? Do you take a moment to spend time with God like the apostles who “together they devoted themselves to constant prayer?”
This week, we stand between the glorious event of Ascension of Jesus Christ and the coming Feast of Pentecost. What a great time to give oneself in prayer in preparation for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Our lives, from now on until our death, demand constant prayer, meditation and imitation of our Lord Jesus. The apostles would devote their lives speaking and making Jesus known to the world. We too are called to do the same. Throughout his earthly life, Jesus repeatedly showed us examples of prayer. He communed with God the Father, many times until late hours of the night. He asked the Father for help to carry out his mission.
How did we get the idea that we can do things on our own power and will? We learn from Jesus on how to pray and how to depend on God the Father. He wants everyone to know that everything comes from the Father and returns to him. With the power Jesus has been given over all creatures, he hopes to give eternal life to all those whom the Father has entrusted to him. He prays so that his Father and mankind will be honored and served better.
Jesus’ prayer is not only consoling. It sheds light on what our prayer life should be. He prays that what happens to him will serve to give glory to God and to benefit those whom the Father entrusted to him. In our own life too, there are moments that are particularly challenging. We are tempted to pray for the alleviation or elimination of fear, suffering, and anxiety in our lives. That sort of prayer is not to be forbidden. The more Christ becomes our model, the more we will realize that true prayer seeks to ensure that the glory of God and the welfare of others will be salvaged if our trial proves too heavy for us and leads to failure. That is the prayer model which Jesus proposes to us in this prayer to his Father.
The way Jesus talks about his Father assures that we are not forgotten that we count in their eyes and share in their mutual love. As we share in his glory, so too, do we share in Christ’s suffering. We have nothing to fear. If we persevere in prayer and keep trying to discern the presence of his Spirit, we will find true joy, peace and eternal life.
Truly Yours in the Lord,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
