Ascension Thursday and Mary

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

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Today marks 40 Days after Easter, but in most Dioceses, the Feast of the Ascension will be celebrated liturgically on this coming Sunday. It has been a blessing for me to be pondering in the last few threads posted here in the Spirituality Forum about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit’s Gifts can be “seen” as we look at Mary in the Gospels.

What was this day like for Mary, when Jesus ascended into heaven? Only God knows the depths of her beautiful soul which magnifies Him, yet Jesus Himself told us from His Cross: “Behold your Mother”.

I used to think Mary must have felt such pain at seeing Jesus ascending and leaving her, but I am more and more inclined to think now that the Holy Spirit of Wisdom enabled her to see by faith and by sharing in His Wisdom the truth of Jesus’ words, “It is better for you that I go.” (John 16:7)

Mary’s heart was pierced on Calvary spiritually as Jesus’ Heart was pierced physically. Her union with Him is the most perfect of all human persons. She loved Him on this earth, and loves Him now, as no other human person has or ever will. Her union with Him and with His Holy Spirit and with His Father enabled her to rejoice with Jesus as He returned to His Father and is now preparing a place for us.

Mary, my Queen and my Mother I am all yours. Keep me Guard me as your property and possession.
O Jesus living in Mary, come and live in your servants…
Come Holy Spirit, kindle in us the Fire of Your Love!

 

[chefmomster2]

Such a beautiful image!

 

[Netty1]

And beautiful words too.

 

[ManyFaces]

Ave Maria!

 

[petra22]

In my many wonderings, I wondered WHY Jesus had to go back to Heaven? WHY couldn’t he just stay here with us? An answer came to me that may be elementary…
He is God and remember when he kept telling the people he cured to go and tell no one??? Well, when he died and rose from the dead and appeared living to the apostles and desciples… they KNEW he was God for sure and God couldn’t live here with us because of the sin in the world… so, we have to seek him, repenting and giving up sin.

 

[InspiritCarol]

In my many wonderings, I wondered WHY Jesus had to go back to Heaven? WHY couldn’t he just stay here with us? An answer came to me that may be elementary…
He is God and remember when he kept telling the people he cured to go and tell no one??? Well, when he died and rose from the dead and appeared living to the apostles and desciples… they KNEW he was God for sure and God couldn’t live here with us because of the sin in the world… so, we have to seek him, repenting and giving up sin.

But God does live here with us. Yes? In the hearts of the Faithful, in the real presence, wherever He wills? I’m asking, because I don’t know.
I think it is more of a kingship kind of thing. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, not just Earth.

OP, I love the image too.

 

[MariaChristi]

Such a beautiful image!

Dear chefmomster,

Thanks for your reply. I was blessed by the icon also; I have a book of Icons on the life of Jesus and Mary which I sometimes use to ponder the mysteries of the Rosary.

 

[MariaChristi]

And beautiful words too.

Dear Netty,

Thanks for your reply – all words pale in comparison with the reality, right? Nevertheless, it is good to do whatever we can to praise God and our Mother Mary – His Gift to us.

 

[Pablopedro]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

http://images.oca.org/icons/lg/Pascha/ascension.jpg

Today marks 40 Days after Easter, but in most Dioceses, the Feast of the Ascension will be celebrated liturgically on this coming Sunday. It has been a blessing for me to be pondering in the last few threads posted here in the Spirituality Forum about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit’s Gifts can be “seen” as we look at Mary in the Gospels.

What was this day like for Mary, when Jesus ascended into heaven? Only God knows the depths of her beautiful soul which magnifies Him, yet Jesus Himself told us from His Cross: “Behold your Mother”.

I used to think Mary must have felt such pain at seeing Jesus ascending and leaving her, but I am more and more inclined to think now that the Holy Spirit of Wisdom enabled her to see by faith and by sharing in His Wisdom the truth of Jesus’ words, “It is better for you that I go.” (John 16:7)

Mary’s heart was pierced on Calvary spiritually as Jesus’ Heart was pierced physically. Her union with Him is the most perfect of all human persons. She loved Him on this earth, and loves Him now, as no other human person has or ever will. Her union with Him and with His Holy Spirit and with His Father enabled her to rejoice with Jesus as He returned to His Father and is now preparing a place for us.

Mary, my Queen and my Mother I am all yours. Keep me Guard me as your property and possession.
O Jesus living in Mary, come and live in your servants…
Come Holy Spirit, kindle in us the Fire of Your Love!

Consider that by the time He had ascended, He had taught His disciples so many mysteries. Including about the Eucharist. Imagine Mary’s joy in knowing that her beloved Son would be carried within her again!

 

[MariaChristi]

In my many wonderings, I wondered WHY Jesus had to go back to Heaven? WHY couldn’t he just stay here with us? An answer came to me that may be elementary…
He is God and remember when he kept telling the people he cured to go and tell no one??? Well, when he died and rose from the dead and appeared living to the apostles and desciples… they KNEW he was God for sure and God couldn’t live here with us because of the sin in the world… so, we have to seek him, repenting and giving up sin.

Dear Petra,

Thanks for your reply. A holy priest once told me that when I read scripture, if I had a question, then I needed to keep reading to find the answer. If I didn’t find the answer, it may not have been a good question.

Jesus told his Disciples at the Last Supper that He was going and why. By our Baptism we receive the Life of God infused into our souls so that God remains in us (unless we sin mortally). Jesus truly told His disciples He would not leave them orphans. God is always present, even in this world despite so much evil. He is here by His Power and His presence all around us, but what a privilege that He comes to be within us.

The Indwelling Trinity is such a gift to us, but we grow in our knowledge and love of the Trinity in stages. I’ve posted this link before because it is a great help in understanding how we are intended by God to grow from Baptism through our lives of grace into perfect union with God in the Beatific Vision. See HERE In reading this article you will come to a diagram which clearly shows the journey of the spiritual life travelled in stages, and as it has been taught in the Catholic Church for centuries.

By God’s Grace, we continue to seek Him in deeper ways, but God dwells in us, as St. Teresa so beautifully wrote of her experiences in her book, The Interior Castle. You are quite right that we need to keep seeking Him for He wants us to know Him more, and love Him more, and serve Him more. He assures us that if we ask, we will receive, seek and we will find, knock and it will be open to us. ( Mt. 7: 7-11) How Good God is to love us so much!

 

[MariaChristi]

But God does live here with us. Yes? In the hearts of the Faithful, in the real presence, wherever He wills? I’m asking, because I don’t know.
I think it is more of a kingship kind of thing. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth, not just Earth.

OP, I love the image too.

Dear InspiritCarol,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, God is present everywhere by His power and His presence, and marvelously, by our Baptism, the Life of God is infused into our souls. Grace is a participation in the very Life of God. How wonderful is that! Most of us do not appreciate our Baptism enough, but the more we listen to God in Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church, the more we learn. The Catechism of the Catholic Church and the writings of the saints likewise help us to grow in knowledge of and appreciation for God’s revelation of Himself. He wants us to be holy as He is Holy and He gives us all we need to walk as He walked. An excellent book to explore this further is HERE

The Eucharist, is of course the “Source and Summit of the Christian life”. Jesus comes to us in that Sacrament and remains in our tabernacles under the appearances of bread and wine. His “real presence” under the Eucharistic species is unique, but it is not called “real” to exclude other kinds of presence but because it is real in the fullest sense, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man makes Himself wholly and entirely present. ( cf Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1374)

Mary is the “perfect” disciple of Christ and thus she is the Model for the entire Church. As we prepare for Pentecost, it is good to remember the words of Jesus from the Cross: “Behold your Mother”. I’m glad you liked the icon I posted in this thread. It shows Mary as she is: Mother and Model, praying with and caring for the Church. Now reigning as King and Queen of heaven and earth, Jesus and Mary continue to draw those on earth closer to God.

 

[MariaChristi]

Consider that by the time He had ascended, He had taught His disciples so many mysteries. Including about the Eucharist. Imagine Mary’s joy in knowing that her beloved Son would be carried within her again!

Dear Pablopedro,

Yes, Jesus taught his disciples much, but they still needed to wait — as Jesus told them before He ascended – to be clothed with power from on high by the Holy Spirit (Acts of the Apostles 1: 4-5). Jesus had also told them at the Last Supper that He had more to tell them but they could not bear it yet, but when the Spirit of Truth came to them He would guide them into all truth (John 16:12-13).

Mary’s joy at the Ascension was unique since she was always Immaculate and in union with God. The Holy Spirit, who overshadowed her at the Annunciation had continually been working His Gifts and fruits in Mary and so her joy was the fruit of Wisdom. She knew far more than any disciple could know.

Yet, Mary received the Holy Spirit in a special way at Pentecost to enable her to carry forth her own part in continuing the Mission of Jesus. She is truly our Mother and Model. When I receive Holy Communion, I am grateful for the method taught by St. Louis de Montfort in his classic, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. If you have never read this little gem of a book or haven’t read it in a while, you may want to read the online copy. His words on Holy Communion can be read HERE

 

[InspiritCarol]

An excellent book to explore this further is HERE

Hey,
Thanks for the great book suggestion.
I’ll pass it along to my Catholic Bible study group.

I’m so glad I stumbled on such a positive thread.
You’ve lifted my spirits.

 

[Pablopedro]

Dear Pablopedro,

Yes, Jesus taught his disciples much, but they still needed to wait — as Jesus told them before He ascended – to be clothed with power from on high by the Holy Spirit (Acts of the Apostles 1: 4-5). Jesus had also told them at the Last Supper that He had more to tell them but they could not bear it yet, but when the Spirit of Truth came to them He would guide them into all truth (John 16:12-13).

Mary’s joy at the Ascension was unique since she was always Immaculate and in union with God. The Holy Spirit, who overshadowed her at the Annunciation had continually been working His Gifts and fruits in Mary and so her joy was the fruit of Wisdom. She knew far more than any disciple could know.

Yet, Mary received the Holy Spirit in a special way at Pentecost to enable her to carry forth her own part in continuing the Mission of Jesus. She is truly our Mother and Model. When I receive Holy Communion, I am grateful for the method taught by St. Louis de Montfort in his classic, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. If you have never read this little gem of a book or haven’t read it in a while, you may want to read the online copy. His words on Holy Communion can be read HERE

I just completed my Consecration recently!

 

[MariaChristi]

I just completed my Consecration recently!

Dear Pablopedro,

Wonderful! May we daily live our Consecration to Jesus through Mary! These days before Pentecost, let us ask her especially to intercede for all God’s children and bring us into that Oneness for which Jesus prayed, by the power of His Holy Spirit working in and through His Church. (cf John 17 – Christ’s Priestly Prayer)

 

[chefmomster2]

Dear chefmomster,

Thanks for your reply. I was blessed by the icon also; I have a book of Icons on the life of Jesus and Mary which I sometimes use to ponder the mysteries of the Rosary.

Could you give me info on the book? Is it currently available? I really love that image!

 

[MariaChristi]

Could you give me info on the book? Is it currently available? I really love that image!

Dear chefmomster,

The book is entitled: Mary Mother of God Her Life in Icons and Scriptures edited by Giovanna Parravicini published by Ligouri. I received it as a gift some years ago; I’m not sure if it is still available.

There are many icons on the internet and I found the reproduction of the Icon (which is in my book) by simply using goggle to find an icon of Mary with the disciples at the Ascension. See HERE

 

[petra22]

Dear Petra,

Thanks for your reply. A holy priest once told me that when I read scripture, if I had a question, then I needed to keep reading to find the answer. If I didn’t find the answer, it may not have been a good question.

Jesus told his Disciples at the Last Supper that He was going and why. By our Baptism we receive the Life of God infused into our souls so that God remains in us (unless we sin mortally). Jesus truly told His disciples He would not leave them orphans. God is always present, even in this world despite so much evil. He is here by His Power and His presence all around us, but what a privilege that He comes to be within us.

The Indwelling Trinity is such a gift to us, but we grow in our knowledge and love of the Trinity in stages. I’ve posted this link before because it is a great help in understanding how we are intended by God to grow from Baptism through our lives of grace into perfect union with God in the Beatific Vision. See HERE In reading this article you will come to a diagram which clearly shows the journey of the spiritual life travelled in stages, and as it has been taught in the Catholic Church for centuries.

By God’s Grace, we continue to seek Him in deeper ways, but God dwells in us, as St. Teresa so beautifully wrote of her experiences in her book, The Interior Castle. You are quite right that we need to keep seeking Him for He wants us to know Him more, and love Him more, and serve Him more. He assures us that if we ask, we will receive, seek and we will find, knock and it will be open to us. ( Mt. 7: 7-11) How Good God is to love us so much!

Thanks for the information. I’m very interested…

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks for the information. I’m very interested…

Dear Petra,

So glad to receive your response and to know you are interested. There really is such a need for Catholics to learn more about the great treasure of God’s Indwelling Presence and how He intends us to grow from Baptism into Eternal Glory. The Interior Life is so seldom spoken about from our pulpits these days, yet Scripture speaks of its reality and the saints have written about it for centuries!

After you finish reading the information, let me know what you think. These are precious days of prayer as we wait for the special coming of the Holy Spirit. May Our Mother Mary help us now, even as she helped those first disciples who waited and prayed with her.