THE ASCENSION

Macha Chmakoff- French

Once more, as in these past two months, we come to another great feast, the ASCENSION of Jesus into Heaven.  Once more, most of the churches will be locked. Once more Catholics will need to rely on their own resources (and there are many on line) to celebrate. 

Once more, as happens every day in the lives of most people across the globe, we ask what does the future hold?  For me, for my family and loved ones, for friends, for the sick, for the dying, for all who are working tirelessly to keep life afloat.  

Once more we know we face an uncertain future in all aspects of our lives. What do we do in this new situation? How do we grow spiritually when we might not even be able to go to Mass?

In this great feast, we find HOPE, that our Savior goes to the Father, that we may one day follow Him. We need to know that He wants to meet us in our uncertainties, our fears, our disappointments.  He will help us carry the crosses we are facing, and they are not trivial. 

"The aftermath has already begun to be revealed as tragic and painful, which is why we must be thinking about it now. . . . I’m living this as a time of great uncertainty. It’s a time for inventing, for creativity. . . . What we are living now is a place of metanoia (conversion), and we have the chance to begin. So, let’s not let it slip from us, and let’s move ahead."  Pope Francis

A Prayer to Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic

Most merciful and Triune God,
We come to You in our weakness.
We come to You in our fear.
We come to You with trust.
For You alone are our hope.

We place before You the disease present in our world.
We turn to You in our time of need.

Bring wisdom to doctors.
Give understanding to scientists.
Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity.
Bring healing to those who are ill.
Protect those who are most at risk.
Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one.
Welcome those who have died into Your eternal home.

Stabilize our communities.
Unite us in our compassion.
Remove all fear from our hearts.
Fill us with confidence in Your care.

Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Amen.


The author of this prayer is unknown.