This is the Sunday after the Ascension and the Sunday before Pentecost.  Behind us is the life of Jesus,  His crucifixion and death, his Resurrection and His glorious ascension into heaven.  In front of us is the  unknown much like our life today with the Coronavirus.

How do you think the disciples felt in their time of the unknown?  All they knew is the physical form of  Jesus has finally left them in the brilliance of light from heaven.  And before he left, He told them to go  to Jerusalem and wait where God will come to them in a new way.  Talk about having faith.  

Just think three years ago they were living ordinary lives with families, friends, neighborhood  communities following daily routines without thinking much like we did before Covid-19.  Then this man  Jesus told them to follow him and they did.  They followed him and heard, saw and experienced things  they still could not fully understand.

They lived through the tension, the mounting danger and the terrible execution that ended  the life of their Lord in Jerusalem.  They've lived with that terrible sense of loss and grief  when life had no meaning or purpose, and their hearts were heavy, dreading the bleak  future ahead of them.  

Then the light of resurrection exploded around them.  Jesus was alive again, talking with  them, eating with them, teaching them.  His appearances were unpredictable and  sometimes very brief but after the initial shock none of them doubted the reality of his  resurrection.  Now he's left them again and they're living with a renewed sense of loss.  Not  as sharp as before but still hard to bear all the same.  They didn't know what was about to  happen.  Much like us today.

This coronavirus is stirring up much anxiety, confusion and major inconveniences.  How can  our faith tradition guide and comfort us during this difficult time?  To me a good starting  point is to remember the most common phrase in the Bible is "Be not afraid".

Perhaps the wide and varied challenges from the coronavirus pandemic invite us to walk  still more closely with Christ.  Some might be fearful.  Some might be frustrated.  Some  might be bored - those unable to work, attend school or socialize.  Some might be  overwhelmed, particularly medical workers, civic officials and employers.  Some might  be getting annoyed with their family members.  There are plenty of other challenges in  this moment as well.  But in all these, there is the call to faith.

Jesus is risen and walks with us in every aspect of life.  He is present, even in the most  unusual situations.  He calls us to faith and it's in faith that he will lead us to life.

Submitted by Bob James, St. Vincent de Paul

First Reading: Acts 1:12 - 14
Responsorial Psalm: 27:1, 4, 7-8
Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:13 - 16
Gospel Reading: John 17: 1 - 11a

Reflection: This past Thursday was the Feast of Ascension of Jesus into heaven. After his Resurrection from the dead, Jesus remained on earth as the Risen Lord of Glory for forty days. During those days he strengthened the faith of his disciples that he was not to be found among the dead but among the living. He reminded them of all those he taught them during his life and that they are the bearers of the gospel to the ends of the earth. As Jesus ascended into heaven, he commissioned his disciples to return back to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The eleven with other disciples (about 120) including Mary the mother of Jesus remained in the upper room for ten days in prayer as they were waiting for the Holy Spirit. They were in the Cenacle of Prayer. As we gather in prayer, we always remain in communion with God. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is in the prayer of the high priest. In this prayer, He is in communion with his Father as he prays for the protection of his disciples who will remain in this world when he is away. We are called to join Jesus and the disciples in the act of prayer - praying always. Amen. Let's remember that we are Easter people and our song is Alleluia! Fr. Severine