First Prelude: Picture the Apostles after the Ascension of their beloved Master leaving Mount Olivet in obedience to the angels’ bidding.
Second Prelude: Replenish my heart, O Jesus, through faith, hope and charity with holy joy, that I may find the practice of virtue easy and agreeable.
First Point
THE JOY OF THE DISCIPLES
Holy Scripture relates of the Apostles: that they “went into Jerusalem with great joy.” Fortified in their faith by witnessing the Ascension of their Master, they adored Him seated on the throne of His glory and rejoiced that now He reigns forever in the kingdom of His Father. They rejoiced, too, in the hope of a reunion with Him in never-ending bliss. Had not they received His blessing, and with it the assurance that their labors should prosper under His assistance? Besides, He had promised to prepare a place for them in heaven. It was this assurance that filled their hearts with jubilation at the mere remembrance of His glory. Let us share the joy of the Apostles, for He Who ascended to heaven is also our Lord and Master. In us, too, the ascension of our Lord should produce similar effects. It should elevate our mind to our Saviour, direct our desires heavenward and unite us most intimately with Jesus, the source of all love and bliss.
The children of the world rejoice in vain, perishable, even harmful goods. Spiritual joy, however, alone can fully satisfy our yearning, emanating as it does from an inexhaustible source, and having for its object eternal goods,—God and our salvation. Such joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and a foretaste of heavenly delights. It is the property of all faithful souls, the fruit of justice. Let us, therefore, strive to have a share in so precious a gift, by scrupulously avoiding the least sin and fulfilling our Holy Rule with the utmost fidelity.
What may be the cause why I frequently lack spiritual joy? Do I, perhaps, like the children of the world, seek pleasure in temporal things?
Second Point
THE APOSTLES OBEY THE INJUNCTION OF THE ANGELS
Well may the disciples have prostrated themselves in adoration, and reverently kissed the footprints which their Master in His infinite love had left behind. Gladly would they have lingered longer on the spot so dear to them, but they recognized in the angels the messengers of their Master, Who manifested His will through them. Accordingly they obeyed promptly and complying with the Master’s bidding returned to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Paraclete. Let us follow their example and go cheerfully whither our superiors, our visible guardian angels, bid us go. Should we be compelled to leave a place that afforded us many spiritual consolations, and relinquish practices that seemed very helpful to us, let us be convinced that nothing can be more beneficial for us than to fulfill the holy Will of God, manifested to us through obedience. Having fortified ourselves by earnest prayer and received the blessing of our beloved Master, we will courageously walk in the footprints of our Beloved, which He has left us as a sure guide to our heavenly home. We recognize them exactly in our holy Rule and in the constitutions, which invite us to the imitation of our Blessed Lord. Let us entreat Jesus to fill our hearts with His holy love, that we may generously walk in the way of the commandments and the evangelical counsels, and quicken our pace the nearer we approach to our sublime goal.
Do I frequently consider that the acts of love and renunciation, of humility and submission, enjoined upon me by my Holy Rule are so many rungs on the ladder to heaven? Should I find any duty repugnant, if I were truly imbued with the love of Jesus?
Affections: O my Jesus, Thou hast said to Thy Apostles: “If you loved Me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the Father: for the Father is greater than I” (John 14, 28). Oh, grant me this love, which shall also be the source of my joy. Let me follow Thy footsteps, my beloved Bridegroom, by pondering Thy mysteries, taking Thy lessons well to heart, and keeping constantly before me the example of Thy virtues. Let me strive for the happiness of union with Thee by the perfect accomplishment of Thy Divine Will. But I stand in need of the Holy Spirit, Whom Thou, O Jesus, didst promise to the Apostles. I will surrender myself completely to His divine guidance, will place no obstacles to His operations, and beg Him to break the last bonds that still rivet my heart to earth.
Resolution: I will testify my love to Jesus by faithfully and cheerfully complying with every injunction of our Holy Rule.
Spiritual Bouquet: “If you love Me, you would rejoice that I go to the Father.”
Prayer: Soul of Christ…
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