They say that one of the indications of growing old is fondness for remembering events or people long gone. Growing up with my grandparents, I recall getting excited, and at times, patiently enduring their repeated stories about the Japanese era, the American occupation or the glories of their favorite dead presidents. So next time you catch yourself pining for things of the past, watch out – you might be growing old!

As we celebrate this weekend the  Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we can imagine the apostles overjoyed that Jesus has risen from the dead.  They started to believe that things will be just the same as before, and Jesus would be present and do for them what He used to do before the event of the Cross.  They wanted to resume their interrupted life with the Lord.  But Jesus, at the Ascension, taught them that they needed to let go of the past.

And we could very well relate to these experiences of the first apostles at Ascension. Many times, we are tempted to dwell in the past. Many times, we refuse to let go. We tend to cling with all our might on things that are no longer here; to cling desperately for people who are gone; to cling to situations which will never return. Because of this, we cannot move on with life. We are paralyzed and we lose hope. We fail to see that God surrounds us with promising chances for growth and development. We live in sadness and perpetual longing.

Beginning today, let go and start carving your future from what is possible and concrete. Do not live in the clouds. Like the apostles, allow these things to ascend to heaven and direct your gaze on the greater things that need to be done in your life today and on the years to come.

The Ascension needed to happen to Jesus and His apostles so that growth may happen: Jesus would be enthroned in heaven; the apostles would take charge over the mission Jesus started in them.

Let us also allow that to happen to us today by letting go and letting God!

Sono semipro grate,
Father Erick

(For the Ascension, 2021)