God has to be very patient with us. Our intellectual power is not capable of handling things related with Him. Just as what Isaiah, the prophet, has written:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
When we heard the first reading from Acts 1 of the mass today, the message of Isaiah is confirmed once more.
After resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days appearing to selected disciples, gathering them to form a community of redeemed, an embryonic Church. Jesus showed them infallible proofs of his resurrection and telling them things about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Yet, in the mind of these 120 disciples, the kingdom of Israel took the place of the Kingdom of God. Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem still lingered in their mind. For them, Jesus their Messiah would drive away the Romans to restore the past glory of Israel. When Jesus left them and returned to the Father, they still asked whether Jesus would restore the kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). Jesus' answer left the question open. He did not affirm nor deny such an eventuality. His answer was enigmatic.
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power (Acts 1:7).
We will not know when the end will finally come. While we are concerned with our earthly things, God cares about heavenly things. The early Christians expected Jesus to return soon. Therefore, they gave up their money and property to the Apostles and waited expectantly for the imminent return of the Lord. Yet, Jesus has not returned for 2000 years. Meanwhile, Jesus is accompanying the Church on earth all the time to make the world a better place to stay. So, when God and men meet, heaven and earth are united. We are to build the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
In the reading of the gospel of Mark today, we heard the commission of Jesus to preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Yes, all creatures and not just men. The whole universe was created for men which alone are created with the capability, and thus the responsibility, to communicate with God. The whole Creation serves men, yet men have the responsibility to actualize the potential in all. We need to understand the Creation better, thus we develop all branches of physical sciences. We need to understand men better, thus we develop all branches of social sciences. We have been quite successful in these areas. We need to respect the whole Creation, all the living and non-living things. Yet, we have abused it for our own convenience. We need to respect all men. Yet, we have discriminated and exploited the minorities of our fellow human beings. Obviously, we have not done well enough with our respect.
Today is the 46th World Communications Day. The Catholic Church began celebrating Jesus' Ascension with the particular emphasis on Communications in 1966. Realizing the power of mass media, Pope Paul VI instructed the Church to reflect on how the People of God should make good use of all the social communications available to bring about a social transformation according to the will of God. While we embrace the powerful influence of mass media on people, we should not ignore the dangers and damages they can inflict on the human psyche. Today, Pope Benedict XVI brought our attention to the importance of SILENCE in social communication: Silence and Word: Paths of Evangelization. Silent contemplation on the Word of God is essential for its deeper understanding. When all the available space is filled up with words, images and sounds, there is no room to receive the Word of God, the Son of God, Jesus our Lord in our hearts.
Dear readers. I believe it is time I followed the advice of the Pope to stop here. Let us contemplate and meet Jesus face to face.
Dear Lord, receive my soul. Amen.
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