Dear Parishioners,
Next Thursday, the Church celebrates the Ascension of the Lord into heaven—Jesus’ final appearance to His apostles. It must have been both a strange and deeply emotional experience for them as they watched Him disappear into the clouds. They stood speechless, filled with wonder, until an angel appeared and assured them that Jesus would return in the same way.
Following His instruction, the disciples remained together, waiting for the promised Advocate—the Holy Spirit. They devoted themselves to prayer as they awaited His coming. This teaches us the importance and value of prayer in our lives. The apostles soon realized they could not carry out their mission without the help of the Holy Spirit. Though they did not fully understand what would happen, they trusted Jesus and remained open to His will.
What is our disposition when things go wrong, or when we face confusion and hardship? Do we turn to prayer? Do we take time to be with God, as the apostles did, who “devoted themselves to constant prayer”? This week, as we stand between the Ascension and Pentecost, we are given a special opportunity to deepen our prayer life as we prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Our call to prayer does not end with Pentecost. Rather, our whole life should be marked by prayer, meditation, and imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like the apostles, we are called to make Him known in the world.
Throughout His earthly life, Jesus showed us the example of prayer. He often withdrew to commune with the Father, sometimes late into the night. He sought the Father’s help to fulfill His mission. From Him, we learn that we are not meant to rely solely on our own strength. Everything comes from the Father and returns to Him.
Jesus’ prayer not only consoles us but also teaches us how to pray. He prayed that His life and mission would glorify the Father and bring good to those entrusted to Him. In our own struggles, we may naturally pray for relief from fear, suffering, or anxiety and this is good. But as we grow in faith, we also learn to pray that God may be glorified and that others may benefit, even through our trials.
The way Jesus speaks of His Father reassures us that we are not forgotten. We are loved and invited to share in that divine love. As we share in His glory, we also share in His suffering, but we need not be afraid. If we persevere in prayer and remain attentive to the Spirit, we will find true joy, peace, and the promise of eternal life.
Grace and peace to you,
Sincerely yours in the Lord
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
