God, through Jesus, feeds us and sustains us

Gospel: Luke 9:11b–17
Give them some food yourselves.

We are also receiving the One who asks his disciples, “Why do you not give them something to eat yourselves?” Our response may be puzzlement and confusion as we look at the enormity of the problem. But the Eucharist can heal us and open our eyes and minds to how we can feed the hungry and where they can be found in our immediate environment.

The Eucharist is essentially and of its very nature a community action in which every person present is expected to be an active participant.

Today’s feast isn’t a way of returning to a former day of only silent reverence and genuflections before the consecrated host. Rather, this feast invites us to broaden our faith vision to include a deeper awareness of our common priesthood; especially in the diverse ministries included in and derived from our eucharistic celebration…

We are now the witnesses, and Jesus promised us that we would not be left alone

Gospel: John 24:46–53
You are witnesses to these things

The Ascension has very little to do with the absence of Christ, and everything to do with his magnification. Pope Benedict tells us that Jesus was “not transported to another cosmic location.” Rather, his Ascension galvanized his disciples; they became witnesses who resembled thunderbolts in terms of the energy they brought to the task of proclaiming the Good News.

The first reading and the Gospel today seem to be in contradiction. Although both are written by Luke, the Gospel says that Jesus’ ascension was on Easter Sunday and the Acts of the Apostles says it was 40 days after the resurrection.