What keeps Jesus busy in heaven?

 Above, you'll find the video of my homily for May 17, the Seventh Sunday in the Easter Season, and based on today's gospel.  (If a video doesn't appear above, click here.) Below is the text of my homily

You may have missed it, but a few days ago was Ascension Thursday, a holy day on the church calendar.

 

Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday - which you probably didn't miss - and then for about six weeks after that, Jesus appeared to his disciples over and over again: walking with them, speaking with them, praying with them, eating with them.

 

Then on the 40th day after Easter, Ascension Thursday, Jesus led his friends out to the Mount of Olives: he promised to send them the Holy Spirit; he commissioned them to preach the gospel and to baptize. And then before their very eyes, he ascended into heaven.

 

He ascended into heaven!

 

Have you ever wondered... what's Jesus doing in heaven? Does he have a job? Does he have chores to do? What keeps him busy now that he has gone home to heaven, to the Father?

 

A very beautiful answer to those questions can be found in a document from the Second Vatican Council. And I'm starting to realize that I should explain the Second Vatican Council, because it was so long ago now - it's part of my life, but not part of everybody else's life.

 

The Second Vatican Council was a worldwide meeting of church leadership in Rome. It spanned over three years and took place when I was in high school in the early 1960s. So here's what that document from the Second Vatican Council tells us, and I quote:

Christ Jesus, high priest of the new and eternal covenant, Christ Jesus taking human nature, introduced into this earthly exile, that hymn, which is sung throughout all the ages in the halls of heaven. Jesus joins the entire community of humankind to himself, associating us in his singing of this canticle of divine praise.

So, what's Jesus been doing in heaven all this time? He's been singing!

And praying: praying for you and for me. Praying for us to join him in his prayer and his song.

 

He promised just that in the gospel we just heard. Remember? "Father, I pray for them, for those you gave me.” You and I have been given to Jesus, entrusted to Jesus by the Father of us all.

 

I'm pretty certain that we all understand that WE pray to JESUS. But I wonder how often we remember - or even if we realize - that JESUS prays for US, That he intercedes for us, that he's always putting in a good word for us - for you, for me.

 

For instance...

 

• When I stand confused, threatened, frightened, and worried about all the troubles and burdens I have, JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR ME - For peace and calm to settle in my mind, in my heart, and my soul.

 

• When I'm knocked down by illness, my own or others, and I pray for healing, JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING for an end to the suffering, to the pain - praying for health to be restored in our minds and our bodies.

 

• When I'm on the verge of falling for some temptation - and part of me really wants to go for it - JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR ME and offering me the strength to walk away from whatever is trying to seduce me.

 

• When I find myself at odds with family members or friends, and I pray for them to see that I'm right - JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING for my eyes to be opened. For my heart to turn around, impatience, and in humility.

 

• When I'm stressed, angry, and short tempered, and haven't thought about praying at all, JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR ME to calm down and ask for his help.

 

• When I'm carrying a grudge or a resentment, and secretly hoping something bad will happen to somebody else - JESUS IS PRAYING FOR ME that I will forgive the one who has offended me.

 

• When my prejudice and bias are blinding me to wisdom and truth, and I can't clearly see between right and wrong, true and false - JESUS IS PRAYING FOR ME to open up my mind and see what is true.

 

• When I'm about to stretch or manipulate the facts of something - to make things easier for myself - JESUS IS PRAYING FOR ME to be faithful to the truth that sets me free.

 

• When my heart is torn by loss and grief - and I think I might never be happy again - JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR ME  to let go, let my heart be open to being healed.

 

• When I've screwed up big time, and I've made the worst mistakes, and I'm afraid to acknowledge what I've done - JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR ME to turn to him and to his mercy, his forgiveness, his pardon, his peace.

 

• When I'm feeling hopeless, and I'm afraid God has forgotten me - when I don't know IF or HOW I can go on - JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR ME that I'll trust and know that he holds me in his arms.

 

• When I'm worried about the whole world and how messed up everything is -  JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR US to do what's right and just, to be generous and welcoming the poor, to surrender our greed and self-interest, to care for the whole of creation, to make peace - and to make peace our highest priority and goal.

 

And if I haven't prayed for a long time, or haven't been to church for a long time - but find myself here today, this morning - JESUS IS ALREADY PRAYING FOR ME: Jesus in heaven - singing his canticle of praise - he's singing and praying for me - and for you – and for all of us - for the whole world.

 

It's clear, then, that all of us are keeping Jesus mighty busy while he's in heaven, giving him more than enough things to pray for as he stands before his Father. So in those times, and on those days, and through those long nights, when I'm not sure WHAT to pray or HOW to pray, I can always turn to Jesus and say,

“Lord, I know you're already praying for me. And since I know you only want the best for me, help me know what your praying for me, so I can join you in that prayer.”

And when I'm not sure what to pray or how to pray for people I'm worried about - I can do the same. I can ask,

“Jesus, I'm not sure how to pray for, you know, who. So whatever you're praying for him or for her, or for them - please, join my prayers with yours.”

Well, that's a lot about praying!

 

And now we're going to go to the altar - to pray. And when we do, when we go there, we will find JESUS, ALREADY THERE, praying for us, and not just praying for us, but feeding us, nourishing us, with his mercy and his peace, with his Body and Blood, with his life - which he first offered for us on the Cross - where he stretched out his his arms, between heaven and earth - and prayed for us: for you, for me, and for the whole world.

 

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 5/17

For the gift of people who listen to me, 

for the mercy of folks who forgive me, 

for the wisdom of all who correct me, 

for the arms of those who hold me,  

for the kindness of friends who endure me, 

for the hands of those who guide me, 

for the patience of those who stand by me,

for the care of all who love me, 

for the grace of all who pray for me: 

   I praise and thank you, Lord!

In return, Lord, help me to
listen, forgive, correct, 
hold, abide, guide, support,
care and pray for others
as faithfully, as patiently, 
as I am loved and blessed...

Amen.

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NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 5/16

 

It was a beautiful spring day here in Wayland, Massachusetts and when I went to hear confessions this afternoon the sun was just glowing in the branches of a dogwood tree by the church's front door. And that reminded me of something I posted a few years back...

 

Some days, Lord,

    it's enough just to sit under a dogwood 

        and look up to the sky...

 

 

                        Video by CP in Wayland, MA

 

Some days it's enough look up and remember

    that heaven hovers just above my head,

    that partly cloudy days possess a beauty all their own,

    that sometimes birds sing just for me,

    that gentle breezes dance with trees

    and glory blossoms 

        - just outside my door...

Some days, Lord,

    it's enough just to sit under a dogwood 

        and look up to the sky...

 

Today was such a day, Lord,

    and for blessings this magnificent

        I give you thanks and praise...

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

A word about tonight's song... It's a bit upbeat for Night Prayer - it comes not from a hymnal but from Broadway!  I post it well aware that contrary to the lyrics, our world is not in a wonderful way - but the world I experienced this afternoon is the world we all pray for and for which we need to work -  every day!

On A Wonderful Day Like Today 

    by Anthony Newley

       performed by Johnny Tillotson

 

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On a wonderful day like today,
I defy any cloud to appear in the sky,
Dare any raindrop to plop in your eye
On a wonderful day like today.

On a wonderful morning like this
When the sun is as high as a yellow balloon;
Even the sparrows are signing in tune
On a wonderful day like today.

On a morning like this I could kiss ev'rybody,
I'm so full of love and good will.
Let me say furthermore, I adore ev'rybody
To come and dine -- the pleasure's mine --
And I will pay the bill!

 

Even the sparrows are signing in tune
On a wonderful day like today.

 

On a morning like this I could kiss ev'rybody,
I'm so full of love and good will.
Let me say furthermore, I adore ev'rybody
To come and dine -- the pleasure's mine --
And I will pay the bill!

Let me take this occasion to say
That the whole human race
Should go down on their knees,
Show that they're grateful
For moments like these

When the world's in a wonderful way
On a wonderful day like today.

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Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 5/16

 Detail from The Annunciation by Henry O. Tanner

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The month of May - and all Saturdays - are traditional times of devotion to Mary, the Blessed Mother. I have many posts for a day like this but once again, this one seems most apt for these days...

 

We live in a tough world, Lord,

    a rough and tumble, 

    harsh, coarse unforgiving place

where humankind and nature, too,

    make hard the streets we walk,

    the neighborhoods we live in 

    and the global village 

where we've yet to find the way 

    to live in harmony, 

    as a family,

    in peace...

So this morning we turn to Mary,

    your mother, our mother,

to Mary, a gentle woman, a quiet light, 

    a morning star, so strong and bright;

to Mary, gentle mother, peaceful dove,

    seat of wisdom, heart of love...

Be our mother, Mary,

    full of just the grace we need

        to be your faithful children,

    kind and gentle towards our neighbor,

        making peace with one and all

    and with the world we call our home...

 

Gentle Mother, peaceful dove,

    teach us wisdom; teach us love...

Amen. 

Hail Mary: Gentle Woman 

 by Carey Landry

  sung by the Daughters of Saint Paul 

 

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Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women
And blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now
And at the hour of death.
Amen.

Gentle woman, quiet light,
Morning star, so strong, so bright.
Gentle mother, peaceful dove,
Teach us wisdom, teach us love.

You were chosen by the Father,

You were chosen for the Son,

You were chosen from all women

and for woman, shining one...

Blessed are you among women,

blest in turn all women, too,

blessed they with peaceful spirits

blessed they with gentle hearts...

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NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 5/15

 

Sometimes, even often, Lord,

the mystery of how you move in my life

    blows my mind, 

    fills me with wonder,

    deepens my faith  

    and moves me to tears...

 

Sometimes, even often, Lord,

in the mystery of grace you show me how

    what I thought was lost

        is found again, 

    what I long had feared

        is finally  tamed, 

    what I dared not dream

        has now come true...

 

Sometimes, even often, Lord,

the mystery of how you move in my soul

    calms my worries,

    relieves my distress, 

    answers my prayer, 

    heals an old wound,

    makes light my burdens

    and easy my path...

 

And sometimes, even often, Lord, 

I need to wait on the mystery of you

    who knows just the time

        that's right for me,

    whose timing's not mine

        but is never too late,  

    whose time with me 

        is filled with patience, mercy and peace...

 

Sometimes, even often, Lord,

the mystery of how you move in my life

    opens my eyes, 

    blows my mind, 

    fills me with wonder,

    mends my brokenness, 

    lifts me up, 

    heals my wounds, 

    restores my hope,

    strengthens my resolve, 

    refreshes my spirits,

    deepens my faith,

    moves me to tears

        - and to you, my Lord and God... 

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep rest in your peace...

Amen. 

 

In His Time by Diane Ball

 

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Better late than never?

I didn't preach from a text on Ascension Thursday, nor did I record my homily that day. But I just realized that this mass had been live-streamed and since I received some very positive feedback, I thought it might be worth posting here.  

 

(If a video doesn't appear below, click here!)

 

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 5/14

Lord Jesus... 

You're my Maker, my Creator,

    I'm the work of your fine hands;

You call me by my name, Lord

    - and you name me your beloved...

 

You're the source of all my talents, 

    all my blessings, skills and gifts;

you're my way, my truth and life

    and in the darkness, you're my light... 

 

You listen to my every word, 

    you heed each passing thought,

you hear my every prayer, Lord,

    long before it leaves my lips... 

     

You're with me in my greatest joys 

    and in my deepest sorrows;

 in good times and in bad

     and in sickness and in health... 

 

You are the inspiration, Lord,

    for all that I've accomplished, 

any good I've said or done or hoped,

    any work that bears my name...  

 

You comfort me, you challenge me,

    you send me out to do your will;

you give me strength when mine is gone

    and rest when day is done... 

You're the heart and brains and glue, Lord,

    of this outfit - me and you -

you're the source of all my wisdom,

    and what common sense I have...

 

- You've given me my friends, Lord,

        to encourage and advise me,

        to protect me and defend me,

        to pray for me, to play with me,

        to bring me peace and joy...

 

- You've been my silent partner, 

        (my so-much-better half)

    my advocate and helpmate,  

        my most forgiving judge...

 

- You're my refuge in the hard times,

        my shelter from the storm;

    you're the light on my dark path

        and my shepherd when I'm lost...

 

You’re the One who always has my back,

        who wipes my tears away:

    yours the shoulder I can lean on,

        yours the hand that lifts me up...

You're my teacher, always helping me 

    to see and understand 

the movement of your grace, Lord,

    in the mystery of my life...

 

You're the fine gold thread that's woven

    through the sackcloth of my life,

always binding us together,

    ever knitting us as one... 

     

Apart from you, I would not be,

    without you, I am nothing;

with you I have everything 

    - and even more than that... 

 

You’re my Alpha and Omega:

    my beginning and my end,

the source of all I am and have

    and all I'm called to be...

    

You are my Lord, you are my God,

    my Savior and Redeemer:

I'm your child, I'm your servant,

    I'm your own beloved child...

 

For all of this I thank you, Lord,

    I praise your holy name:

you are my all, my greatest hope

    from whom all blessings flow... 

     

Amen.  

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