Ascension of the Lord, the official end of Jesus ministry on Earth and to be exalted to sit at the right hand of the Father. As I was reading up and making notes for this reflection, I noticed a connection of Ascension to several other major events in our church’s history. The number 40. Jesus ascension was forty days after the resurrection, to continue His ministry for one purpose, to prepare His people. 40 days of the great flood with Noah and his arc. Moses and 40 days on Mount Sinai for the Ten Commandments. 40 years wandering in the desert after the Israelites left Egypt. Jesus in the desert for 40 days for what is our Lent. 40 centuries of waiting for Jesus to come in a manger in Bethlehem in the humblest of ways. The number 40 is a symbol of needing to be patient and prepare the way for Him to enter into our heart, body and spirit without any reservations. Which segue now towards Mary. Mary was prepared by her Immaculate Conception to be a disciple of the Lord by saying yes at the Annunciation. In the month of May we remember Mary being the perfect tabernacle to carry Jesus, birth Him, encourage Him through His youth to the point of starting His ministry at the Wedding of Cana by turning water into wine. Mary also saw through Jesus suffering under Pontius Pilate and being crucified and taken to the tomb.

Now after the Ascension, Mary was part of the first novena in the upper room that led to Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples to then go out and proclaim the good news. In the Filipino culture, there is a celebration of Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan. Flores de Mayo is a celebration of Mary and the good things she has done with her intercessions and visions to give us hope and light towards our Lord. And in return we offer flowers to Mary in thanksgiving. Santacruzan is celebration of the finding of the Holy Cross that Jesus died on, was found by Empress Helena. Empress Helena in the Santacruzan celebration is Reyna Elena, when all of the holy women and different images of Mary do their procession, Reyna Elena walks in with a Cross to remind us that with the greatest sacrifice of love the world has ever seen, we were all saved. Undying faith led us back to Jesus being risen and then ascended to His kingdom. May the Holy Spirit bless you at the end of this holy novena.