Acts 1: 1-11
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Carry the Awe With Us
It is good to be a follower of Christ. We are included in the great tradition and lineage being passed down to Theophilus in today’s first reading. Through the accounts of these first witnesses, we have become aware of tremendous realities: Jesus’s teaching, his suffering, and the “convincing proofs” of his resurrected life. It’s no wonder that the apostles stood, “gazing up towards heaven,” as Jesus was taken upon a cloud and lifted out of their sight. As described later, “awe came upon everyone” (Acts 2:43).
And yet, the apostles didn’t even have time to naturally break their heavenward gaze before the men-in-robes immediately called their attention back to the mission that Jesus shared with them moments before: Go, and be my witnesses.
It makes me think of the Ignatian principle of being contemplatives in action. As wonderful as it is to be struck, to be in awe, to be a witness of the movement of God in salvation history, and our very own lives, we must not become stuck there. We must carry the contemplative, awe-filled stance within us as we move out to the very ends of the earth.
How is the awe of God stirring in the midst of your action today?
—Laura Gilmartin Hancock facilitates Urban Plunge immersion retreats through Casa Romero: A Jesuit Renewal Center, serves on the leadership team of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Milwaukee, and maintains a private spiritual care practice for monthly spiritual direction as well as the accompaniment of people through The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. She completed her formation to serve in this capacity through the Seminars in Ignatian Formation with the Midwest Province of Jesuits.
Prayer
Spirit of Christ,
You draw our attention to you.
We experience your movement in the world and in our hearts
and are struck with awe in the midst of our long, loving look at the Real.
Spirit of Christ,
You draw our attention outward.
We experience your movement in the world and in our hearts
and desire to carry this awe into all that we do.
Spirit of Christ,
Empower us to be your witnesses.
May we be contemplativus simul in actione,
contemplatives at the same time as action,
participating in your dream to the very ends of the earth.
Amen.
—Laura Gilmartin Hancock
Pray with the Pope
The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.