Jesus Appears To His Apostles For the Last Time Before His Ascension

Jesus Appears to His Apostles for the Last Time Before His Ascension

“They therefore who were come together asked Him, saying: ‘Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?’ But He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father hath put in His own power’” (Acts. 1, 6-7).

First Prelude: Picture Christ’s last apparition before His ascension, and listen respectfully to His loving counsels.

Second Prelude: Give me the grace, O Jesus, to renounce all unnecessary solicitude and to direct my desires toward thee.

First Point

The Question of the Apostles

Jesus had assembled the Apostles for the last time, once more to console and counsel them before going to His Father. He promised them the Holy Ghost and the gift of miracles for the worthy discharge of their sublime mission. But despite the many miracles they had already witnessed, and the countless favors the risen Saviour had so lavishly expended on them, they were still earthly-minded, thinking only of temporal power and of distinction, and longing to share in it. Accordingly, they asked Jesus: “Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom of Israel?” Undoubtedly, such a question, savoring as it did of worldly sentiments, must have grieved our Divine Saviour. Had He not unceasingly imparted to His disciples the most excellent lessons, and instructed them particularly by His holy example? Had He not recently sent them out to conquer souls, whom they should disengage from earthly attachments, by instilling into their hearts love of poverty, of renunciation, of meekness, and of humility, at the cost of untold sacrifices and hardships? These souls they should unite into a spiritual empire but, alas, how little had they understood Him! The Holy Ghost had first to transform them completely, and render them truly spiritual, worthy followers of their Divine Master.

We have received the same Holy Spirit; no low or mean sentiment should, therefore, be tolerated! Only the one care should claim our attention, more and more to establish and confirm the kingdom of God in our hearts. But how rarely are perfect renunciation and detachment from all earthly things, and the corresponding earnest striving for heavenly goods, even at a dear cost, found even among religious! Many lead a wholly natural life, yield to sensitiveness under reprimands, covet praise and esteem, love and seek personal comfort and convenience, in short, whatever flatters self-love. The Holy Ghost cannot penetrate such hearts, because their many voluntary faults and habitual distractions constitute a formidable barrier to divine grace. Thus their hearts, created for God alone, slavishly cling to earth.

Have I not made similar experiences in my life? Shall it not be my earnest endeavor to make my heart receptive for the graces of the Holy Ghost, by fervent prayer and mortification?

Second Point

The Answer of Jesus

In answer to their question, our Blessed Lord said to the Apostles: “It is not for you to know either the time or the hour that the Father hath ordained in His power.” Jesus does not will His disciples to concern themselves with future events, but rather, to devote all their energy and zeal to their present duties. The Most High has reserved to Himself the disposition of our affairs, in every detail. We must submit to His Providence, fulfill His holy Will and seek to utilize for our salvation whatever by divine dispensation may befall us. Do we not often succumb to the temptation of occupying ourselves unnecessarily with the past or even with the future, at the same time forgetting the all-important duties of the present, which demand our utmost attention? This temptation is a dangerous rock which has caused the shipwreck of many a pious soul, a carefully concealed snare, which our enemy, in his cunning, spreads for us. What harm has he accordingly done! Splendid opportunities to practice virtue and to acquire merit for heaven are lost sight of to give place to idle worries concerning the past, and to futile wishes for the future. How happy they who have acquired the facility of utilizing the present moment and faithfully discharging every duty! God’s abundant grace shall not be lacking them.

Have I not also sacrificed peace of soul to useless worries concerning the past or the future? Oh, that I would at last be convinced that the faithful discharge of my present duties is the surest pledge of divine assistance for the future.

Affections: O Eternal Light, send a ray from the heights of heaven to penetrate the innermost recesses of my heart! Give me strength and grace to throw off all unnecessary anxiety and cares, and let me not tend toward sensual, earthly things. How great, how faithful art Thou in Thy promises! O my Jesus, replenish my mind with the sublime truths of faith, penetrate my heart with love of virtue, which Thou so much desirest to see in me, that I may continually walk in Thy presence, and generously renounce whatever is opposed to the efficacy of divine grace in my soul. Impart to me the zeal and fortitude which the Holy Ghost infused into the hearts of the Apostles, by which He effected their complete transformation, that instructed through Him, and replenished with His graces, I may be Thy true disciple.

Resolution: I will banish all unnecessary cares and solicitude, and think only of discharging faithfully and conscientiously the duties of the present day.

Spiritual Bouquet: “Cast all your cares upon the Lord.”

Prayer: Jesus, my Lord, my King . . .