ln the first reading the disciples ask, ‘”‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” They are still focused on a “this world” kingdom. We are challenged because we want things ”NOW”. We are not focused on the long haul. We want things to be quick and easy, no fuss no mess. Jesus never said such was his plan, so when he was lifted up the disciples were standing around not knowing what to do next. The men in white robes that appeared asked, “”Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” Sometimes the same could be asked of us. What are we doing? Do we stand with our hands in our pockets, or do we have our hands out, ready to get to work in bringing the good news of Jesus to others?
In the second reading Paul prays, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened … to the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.” Do we allow our eyes to focus on the inheritance or are we filled with what we see at the moment? Paul asks that God will, “give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.” Notice wisdom and revelation is not for ourselves but for knowledge of God. Do we seek such wisdom and revelation or are we stuck using wisdom and revelation for our earthly advancement? Do we see wat all wisdom all knowledge is primarily for us to know and love God?
In the Gospel, after Jesus ascended it said the disciples, “did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.” When we think of our faith, do we do so with joy? When it comes time to give God praise, do we resent having to go to church or do we look for continual opportunities to be in his temple giving him praise?
Countenance of God 