JOHN DENVER’S SONG “Country Roads” was popular over 50 years ago, so perhaps by now few remember the beginning words of the first verse and the chorus: “Almost heaven … Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong…” It expressed a longing for home, a longing that rings true in our hearts even if we have not experienced a loving home.
Home is a place of far greater importance than merely a street address or place of residence. In an ideal home, our needs for acceptance, belonging, encouragement, forgiveness, friendship and love are met.
No matter how difficult or painful our home life was, it is possible to belong to such a loving family. When we received the Sacrament of Baptism, we were adopted into the Family of God, and God our Father claimed each of us as His Beloved Child forever. Jesus, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, echoed this in telling us: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love” (Jn. 15:9). Although our emotions might not recognize this reality, we can daily pray for the graces to accept, believe and act upon it.
Thursday, May 14, was the Feast of the Ascension, when Jesus returned to His Father after completing His mission here on earth, telling the Good News of the Father’s love and redeeming us. It is not “Almost heaven” as in the song, but is heaven, the place where He belongs, the home which He longs to share with each of us. After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He remained with his disciples for 40 days, and then, after giving them the Great Commission (Mt. 28: 18 – 20), He ascended into Heaven (Lk.24:51), telling them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Ascension Thursday is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning that we are required to attend Mass just as on Sundays, unless there is a valid reason preventing it. Therefore, to enable many more to attend Mass, the Holy See allowed it to be transferred to the following Sunday. Most of the U.S. dioceses do so, except for a few. Since the date of Easter varies, so does the date of the Ascension, which is being celebrated today, May 17.
FOR YOUR FAMILY:
■ Attend Mass together today and afterwards read the story of the Ascension as found in the Gospel of Luke (24:50– 53) and Acts of the Apostles (1:1-12). How might you have felt if you were present and saw Jesus returning to Heaven and angels speaking to you? Share this with each other.
■ Pray the second decade of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, the Ascension, remembering that during the Last Supper (First Mass) Jesus said to His Apostles. “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn 14:2).
■ As you pray the Creed during Sunday Mass, pay special attention to the words “He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father” and try to always remember that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, praying for each of us (Rm. 8:34).
■ Gratitude Jar: Place slips of paper and a pen or marker next to an empty jar and invite family members to write what they are grateful for in each other and place these inside. Choose a time once a week to read these to each other.