Ascension of the Lord - Marking a New Beginning of His Presence

The Ascension of the Lord: May 17, 2026

Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus is being ascended into heaven

We may feel, sometimes, that everything is perfect. Then, suddenly, something unexpected might happen, and everything changes. We expect many things from our dear ones. However, things could be blurry and uncertain. Nothing is static, including our expectations and the outcome of events. This is exactly what happened to the eleven disciples when they said goodbye to the Risen Lord in a hurry. Even before they could capture the whole event that was happening before their eyes, everything became history. But the unexpected event of Jesus being taken up into heaven, surrounded by angels and the heavenly host, the disciples came down the mountain rejoicing and singing psalms. As we gather together to celebrate the Ascension Sunday of our Lord,  the liturgical readings give us a very vivid account of the Ascension and invite us to be absorbed by this mystery. 

1. Ascension: Not about Absence, instead Eternal Presence

The feast of the Ascension of the Lord often gives the impression that Jesus is leaving the earth and departing from His disciples. Yet the Gospel of Matthew ends not with absence, but with a promise of abiding presence: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” The Ascension is therefore not about distance, but about a new way of Christ being present among His people. Jesus entrusts His mission to ordinary disciples, assuring them that they will never walk alone.

The disciples went to the mountain in Galilee as Jesus had directed them. Mountains in Scripture are places of encounter with God, places of revelation and transformation. The disciples are still carrying with them mixed emotions — faith and doubt together. Discipleship is not about perfect certainty and clarity. Even those who doubted were chosen and sent. Jesus did not reject them for their weakness; rather, He entrusted them with His mission. Faith grows not by having all answers, but by remaining close to Christ even amid uncertainty.

2. Ascension: Living with Imperfections but a great trust in God. 

Jesus declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” These are not words of domination but words of hope. The risen Lord who conquered sin and death now reigns with the authority of love, mercy, and truth. In a world often marked by fear, violence, and confusion, the Ascension reminds us that history ultimately belongs to God. Christ is Lord, and His kingdom continues to unfold quietly through every act of compassion, justice, forgiveness, and faithfulness.

Jesus gives a great missionary command: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Christianity is never meant to remain private or self-contained. The disciples are sent outward. To believe in Christ is to become witnesses to His love in the world. This mission is not reserved only for priests, missionaries, or religious leaders. Every baptized person shares in this calling. Parents pass on faith to children, teachers shape minds and hearts, friends support one another in difficult times, and ordinary acts of kindness become signs of God’s presence. 

3. Ascension: Carrying Jesus with us always

Jesus also commands the disciples to baptize and teach. Baptism draws people into the life of the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — a relationship of communion and love. To teach the Gospel is not simply to instruct others in doctrines, but to help them encounter Christ personally and live according to His way. The mission of the Church is therefore both spiritual and deeply human: to build a world shaped by the values of the Kingdom. Our task is to carry His presence into the world — into our families, workplaces, communities, and relationships. The Lord who sends us also walks beside us.

Finally, the Gospel ends with a promise that sustains the Church through every age: “I am with you always.” The disciples would soon face persecution, failures, hardships, and uncertainty. Yet they were never abandoned. The same promise is given to us today. Christ accompanies us in moments of joy and sorrow, clarity and confusion, success and struggle. Even when God seems silent or distant, His presence remains faithful.

Questions for Self-Reflection

1. In what areas of my life do I experience both faith and doubt like the disciples?
2. How am I participating in Christ’s mission in my daily life?
3. Do my words and actions reflect the presence of the risen Lord to others?

Concluding Prayer

Dear Risen Lord, You call us to continue Your mission in the world even amid our weakness and uncertainty. Strengthen our faith when doubts arise, and help us to trust in Your constant presence. Teach us to live as true disciples who bring Your love, peace, and hope to others. May our lives reflect the joy of the Gospel, and may we never forget that You walk with us every day until the end of time. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

E-mail: olvinveigas@jesuits.net

Blog: Celebrate Faith

Video: YouTube

15 May 2026

Easter - Giving Reasons for the Hope of Others

Sixth Sunday of Easter: May 10, 2026

Readings: Acts 8:5–8, 14–17; Psalm 66:1–7, 16, 20; 1 Peter 3:15–18; John 14:15–21

St Peter Preaching to the crowds

Christianity, as a religion, is built on certain values and principles: Love, compassion, peace, joy, mercy, kindness, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and many more. These are also the fruits of the Holy Spirit (St. Paul in Galatians 5:22–23). The boldness and courage the disciples of Jesus experienced after the resurrection are remarkable. Instead of hate and revenge, love and reason become the strength of the disciples of Jesus. They preach good in place of evil, suffering in place of revenge, righteousness in place of unrighteousness. St Peter, as the head of the early Church, advises Christians to give reasons for the hope of others. Make others understand the faith in Jesus through intelligent conversations. In other words, gentleness and compassion become the instruments to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. The liturgical readings on this Sunday precisely do that. Only love is credible, and courage is possible when you carry with you the Risen Lord. 

1. Love is shown more in deeds than words

In the Gospel of  John 14:15–21, Jesus speaks tenderly to His disciples before His suffering and death. He knows that fear, confusion, and loneliness are beginning to fill their hearts. Yet His words are not words of abandonment; they are words of promise, companionship, and love. Jesus assures them that although He may leave physically, He will never leave them orphaned. The Father will send the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth, who will remain with them forever.

Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life

Fifth Sunday of Easter: May 03, 2026

Readings: Acts 6:1–7; Psalm 33:1–2, 4–5, 18–19; 1 Peter 2:4–9; John 14:1–12

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/I-qUzLebeRc

Innocence is part of our lives. There is always a little corner for this aspect of our lives where we become childlike. We may be mature, adult and commanding many things, yet there are things which are unfamiliar to us, and often we might appear very silly. Yet, this phenomenon of our lives might give us sometimes joy and peace, moreover, a sense that we are ultimately human and we need guides on our way. On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, we have those wonderful readings which remind us that we must always be ready to learn, unlearn and relearn in our lives. This will make us very happy and face the challenges of life courageously and confidently.

1. Shifting our Gears of Courage and Trust

In the Gospel of St John 14:1–12, Jesus speaks directly to the restless heart: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” These are not mere comforting words, but an invitation into a deeper trust. Jesus senses the anxiety of his disciples—the uncertainty of what lies ahead, the fear of losing his physical presence—and he responds not with explanations, but with relationship. He calls them, and us, to believe: “Believe in God, believe also in me.”

Shepherding with Love and Care

Fourth Sunday in Easter: April 26, 2026

Readings: Acts 2:14, 36–41; Psalm 23:1–6; 1 Peter 2:20–25; John 10:1–10

Le Bon Pasteur by Philippe de Champaigne
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/Tc-otoaZqn8

God enters into our lives in unexpected ways. As deeply religious and convinced of God's presence permeating around us, we believe that it is God who is guiding us and shepherding us. While looking at the incredible creation in which we live, one thing is certain: there should be some mighty power behind all of this. The world around us and all that it contains is so systematically woven and engineered that there is some sort of order in God's creation. Unfortunately, it is we who create disorder and destruction around us. As we savour the blissfulness of the Easter Season, on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the liturgical readings are so vibrant and encouraging that all of us are invited to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, ardently and lovingly. 

1. Listening to the right voices

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Gospel of John 10:1–10 places before us the striking image of the Good Shepherd and the sheep who recognize his voice. It is a passage that speaks quietly yet powerfully about trust, belonging, and the deep relationship between Christ and those who follow him.

Emmaus and Us - Awakening at the Eucharist

Third Sunday of Easter: 19 April 2026

Readings: Acts 2:14, 22–28; Psalm 16:1–2, 5, 7–11; 1 Peter 1:17–21; Luke 24:13–35

The disciples of Emmaus with Jesus at the breaking of the bread

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/anM-xKfvKyc

What is it that keeps our memories alive? Is it the past experiences or acts that made an imprint on our memories? We remember the past based on our experiences, memories and recollections. Memory is essential to carry forward the past. Memories evoke both good and bad feelings in us. We can not live without our past; however, the memories make us come back alive and relive those past experiences. Memories have a future. Our future is determined by the past, especially those things which are life-giving and fulfilling. We carry the past within us, and yet we make choices about what we would like to carry with us so that they give meaning and purpose in our lives. As we celebrate the Third Sunday of Easter, the liturgical readings invite us to rejoice with the disciples of Emmaus. They found purpose in their lives by celebrating the Eucharist, which brought back memories of Jesus at the Last Supper. This incident never stops them but makes them run without stopping in proclaiming who Jesus really was.

1. Easter: God meets in our narrations of fears and frustrations

The Gospel of Luke 24:13–35, the journey to Emmaus, is a deeply human and profoundly consoling resurrection narrative. It speaks not only of encountering the risen Lord, but of how He meets us in the ordinary paths of our lives—especially when we are confused, threatened, feared, disappointed, destroyed, discouraged, or lost.

Diving into the Mercy of God with Peace

Second Sunday of Easter (or Sunday of Divine Mercy): April 12, 2026

Readings: Acts 2:42–47; Psalm 118:2–4, 13–15, 22–24; 1 Peter 1:3–9; John 20:19–31

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here:https://youtu.be/-RsIhzZMiYg

Who does not doubt? Belief is a very subjective matter and is based on one's convictions and experiences. Doubt arises when certainty is unclear. It may be because either we have not experienced it, or we are not convinced of it. We make conscious decisions in our lives. They are based on our experiences, assumptions, knowledge or inner convictions. We cannot believe everyone and in everything. However, we can believe based on our life experiences. The aspect of faith or convictions of faith can enable us to believe what we see, touch, smell, taste and feel. When we have to believe in something beyond space and time, we need the grace of intelligence and wisdom. Knowledge alone does not suffice us to believe something we have never heard of. As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Easter, which is also called Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church invites us to gaze at the Resurrected Jesus not with our exterior eyes, but with our eyes of faith.  

1. Easter brings the gift of peace and reconciliation 

For the Jews, the first day of the week is Sunday. Saturday is a Sabbath Day. So the event of the appearance of the resurrected Jesus happens on a Sunday evening. The frightened disciples are gathered behind locked doors—fearful, uncertain, and fragile. Into this closed space, Jesus comes and stands among them. There is no rebuke, no accusation for their abandonment, no reminder of their failure. Instead, there is a gift: “Peace be with you.”

Easter Sunday - Christ is Truly Risen

The Resurrection of the Lord/The Easter Sunday: April 05, 2026

Readings: Acts 10:34, 37–43; Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23; Colossians 3:1–4; John 20:1–9

The Resurrection of our Lord

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/uSRNT3Yy8T0

The message of Easter is very clear: Christ is truly risen! The events that followed the crucifixion of our Lord give a rare glimpse of who Jesus was: Fully human and fully divine. With the resurrection of Jesus, the divinity of Jesus shines brighter than before. Jesus is no longer constrained by time and space. Jesus makes himself visible to everyone who longs to see him or waits on him. The mission of Jesus gets transformed now as St Paul would say that Christ "becomes all in all."

1. At Easter, it's Time to Believe

Easter dawn breaks not with noise or spectacle, but with a quiet, almost hidden revelation—the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and hearts slowly awakening to a truth too great to grasp at once. The Gospel of John 20:1–9 draws us into this delicate moment of discovery. Mary Magdalene comes while it is still dark, carrying within her the weight of loss. Peter and the beloved disciple run toward the tomb, caught between confusion and hope. What they find is not the Risen Lord immediately, but signs—linen cloths lying there, the absence that speaks of a presence beyond death.

Good Friday - Accomplishing the Final Act with Love

Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion: April 03, 2026

Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Crucifixion of Jesus

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/eha_1oDKM5c

What a day! And it is called Good Friday!! The death of God-man on the Cross, and still we call this day Good Friday!!! The poignant moment of the death of the Messiah makes us stand still and listen to the inner voice of our being. What is this all about? Why must an innocent man die on a Cross? The most brutal, terribly painful and awkwardly humiliating death a person could go through in the Roman Empire was crucifixion.  It was such a heinous death that no one dared to undergo. But here we have on this day, we commemorate that brutal death of our Saviour and Master year after year. The same death, the same event, the same humiliating expressions, and yet we try to find meaning for our lives through devotion and faith. 

1. Pushing the evil away and not reconciling

As we stand at the foot of the Cross of our Saviour and kiss it with a sense of reverence, it brings to our mind the stark reality of evil, wickedness, jealousy, envy, animosity, grudges, scorn, and hostility in this world and in the lives of people. As we scroll through the Word of God in the Holy Bible, it becomes certain that evil can take over good and has a say for some time. Perhaps, evil might not win continuously or eternally, but it has its say that could be detrimental to the life of the person.  The Word of God tells us emphatically that Jesus "went on doing good." Then what went wrong in the life of Jesus to carry the Cross to Calvary?

Lord's Supper: A Call to Live the Eucharist

Maundy/Holy Thursday - The Lord’s Supper: April 02, 2026 

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8,11-14; Psalm 115(116):12-13,15-18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

The Last Supper of Jesus
To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/DxZAVToxM90

We celebrate on this Maundy Thursday, a definite, enduring and continuous presence of our Lord Jesus Christ amongst us. The event of the establishment of the Holy Eucharist, which took place 2000 years ago in an obscure upper room in one of the houses in Jerusalem, still continues to be celebrated today as a mark of our Lord's intimate presence amongst us. The scene of this enactment of the Lord's Supper continues to draw inspiration and accept the challenges and sufferings this world brings to us. By participating in this mystery of the Eucharist, we are prepared to face any challenges with joy and courage. Moreover, it enables us to carry forward the memory and mission of our Lord to the ends of this earth.  

1. Holy Eucharist: Partaking in His Divine Nature

Maundy Thursday draws us into the quiet, intimate heart of the Gospel—into an upper room where love takes visible form. Jesus makes a particular mark in human history through this act of sharing the Passover meal with his disciples. St. Paul, in recalling the tradition he himself received, brings us face-to-face with the mystery of the Eucharist. “This is my body… this is my blood.” These are not merely words spoken once in history; they are a living memorial, a presence that endures.