7th Sunday of Easter (C) 1st June 2025

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is the confirmation of the theological certitude that Heaven is the home of every child of God, and that to dwell in God is already Heaven itself. But the Church teaches us another fundamental truth: even in Heaven, Jesus is still very busy because he sits at the right side of God the Father. In other words, while in Heaven, Jesus is never far from the earth because his role as our intercessor means that he keeps working alongside us on earth for our salvation.

Matthew’s illustration of final judgement, “I was Hungary you gave me to eat, enter into the joy of your Father” (Matthew 25:34-25) further authenticates the presence of the ascended Christ in the human persons on earth. However, we shouldn’t lose sight of why charity is attached to heavenly reward—faith in God.

The Church distinguishes her teaching on charity from the works of NGOs. While NGOs do humanitarian works, Christians do charity because of their faith in Jesus’ word and hope in Heaven.

Christian charity is the extension of the presence of Jesus on earth, despite the Ascension of Christ. The communion of the saints in Heaven begins in the communion of the children of God here on earth.

For those of us still on earth, the dimension of Heaven underscored is that of hope. “Hope” because where Jesus is, there we shall be also. This hope is being kept alive because Jesus is our GPS. To have a GPS (global positioning system), from a technological perspective, is to have a guide or map that leads one to one’s desired destination. To have Jesus as one’s GPS is to be in constant contact with God as one’s guide all through life. It means that life is beyond this mundane existence to the metaphysical. It means that the meaning of life comes from relationship with and keeping the company of Jesus. It presupposes a new moral foundation for earthly living.

Instead of the voice of the GPS, ours is that of Jesus directing us on who we should be and how we need to behave.

If life seems to be difficult to live, the hope that Jesus surmounted the challenges that were his and now sits at the right side of God becomes our motivation and consolation.

Fr. Ayo AYENI. C.S.Sp.