Sometimes we hear shocking things from God, that we don't fully understand, but we also know that whatever God says is true, and he is faithful in what he says. As an example, Father Matthew explains how the covenant God made with Abraham, no matter how hilarious and improbable, actually became true. Sometimes things happen in our lives, that we don't fully understand, but later on we do, and we realize that it was for our own good.
Are you hungry or are you full? Father Matthew explains the depth, wonder, and goodness of the Lord who feeds us. Thousands of people around us sit in an existential hunger, and whether they know it or not, they are seeking Jesus to fill them with love and divine joy. Christ is the answer, and it's up to us to bring the spiritually hungry here to the table where they will get the food that they need.
On May 5th Father Matthew gives advice to the boys and girls receiving their very first Holy Communion. He also has some words of encouragement and advice to parents, calling them to support their children, and to bring them to church weekly, for their souls would ache if they went without Holy Communion for too long.
Why didn't Jesus just stay with us and lead the church himself instead of ascending to heaven? Today's Feast of Pentecost provides the answer to this question. For the Jews, pentecost is the celebration of the anniversary of Moses climbing Mount Sinai and encountering God, and where he receiving the Ten Commandments. For us, Pentecost is that moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, and which was witnessed by many people. The Holy Spirit also impacts us, moving us to action when we receive God's spirit (but this can only happen if our hearts are open, and we give God permission). So the answer to the original question is that, Jesus is always leading His church, and we are called to be active participants in helping to lead His church. Jesus ascended because the time of courtship is over. God wants us to take the next step to commitment. Do we love Jesus, and do we say yes to Him?
Father Matthew discusses two points in this homily. Firstly, Jesus shows us where we belong by coming down to us, and showing us how to live. We now celebrate Jesus' ascension into heaven. Jesus is the head and the leader of the Church, and we, as members of his body, follow the head. We learn that death is not the end, but the beginning of a greater life that is to come. Secondly, Jesus asks us to continue his work of making disciples. He tells us to "feed my sheep".
