Feast of the Ascension
Deacon Robert Banet
I know about Christmas and Easter, but what is the third great feast?
It’s Pentecost, in a sense – the greatest of them.
How so?
Well, all three call to mind three historical happenings: Christmas really happened and the Resurrection (Easter) really happened and also Pentecost really happened.
I’m with you so far. Go on.
Christmas is past and Easter, as far as we are concerned, commemorates our future resurrection on Judgment Day.
That leaves Pentecost. So?
Pentecost is for now!
How do you figure that? It’s past, just like the other two.
Yes, it calls to mind that first Pentecost but it urges us to accept the Holy Spirit right now. The Holy Spirit, the Consoler, the Counselor, the Strengthener, the Promised One of the Father. He wants to come into our hearts and help us on our way to heaven.
Well, when you put it that way, I can see why you say it may be the greatest of the three. But how do we invite Him into our hearts?
You received the gift of faith, the free gift of salvation at baptism. That gift needs to be activated, to be thawed out.
How do we do that?
Give your life over to the Lord. Do now what you’ve probably planned to on your death bed. Take the leap! Say yes to Jesus with all your heart.
That’s a tall order!
Yes, but you’ll never regret it!