"The joy of the disciples after the ‘Ascension’ does not mean departure into a remote region of the cosmos, but rather, the continuing closeness that the disciples experience so strong that it becomes a source of lasting joy... Now, through his power over space, he is present and accessible to all – throughout history and in every place….
Christianity is the present: it is both gift and task, receiving the gift of God’s inner closeness – and as a consequence – bearing witness to Christ…
The Lord comes through his word; he comes in the sacraments, especially in the most Holy Eucharist; he comes into my life through words or events… He also comes in ways that change the world…his power to transform lives and to refashion history as in the lives of saints [Francis, Dominic, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius Loyola].
Can we pray for the coming of Jesus, and sincerely say: ‘Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! ‘ We can… and we must!
We pray for anticipation of his world-changing presence. We ask him to be close to those we love or whom we are anxious. We ask him to be present and effective in his Church. Why not ask him to send us new witnesses of his presence today, in whom he himself will come to us? As He himself taught us, ‘Your kingdom come!'”
-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Jesus of Nazareth (2011)
"The evangelization of the world by the Apostles is a MIRACLE; there is nowhere in the known world that an apostle has not set out to bring the teaching of Jesus Christ. Where did they obtain strength? From their union with the Divine Master. They taught the Gospel and they became themselves the living expression of that Gospel. Jesus Christ lived in them, and everything in their being proclaimed Him. Let us also work to express Jesus Christ in our lives. Let us receive from Him what we are to give to others. Let us abandon ourselves without reserve, striving to contribute, according to our humble means, to extend His Kingdom. Let us strive, so that we may become His apostles.
Let us respond to the miracle and continue it so that the designs of Jesus Christ may be accomplished by the free commitment of each of us through ardent and generous love. This will open us to all Our Lord may ask of us… Let our answer always be made with love and generosity."
-St. Marie Eugenie, Foundress of the Religious of the Assumption
On the Anniversary of the Foundation - May 2, 1884
Christianity is the present: it is both gift and task, receiving the gift of God’s inner closeness – and as a consequence – bearing witness to Christ…
The Lord comes through his word; he comes in the sacraments, especially in the most Holy Eucharist; he comes into my life through words or events… He also comes in ways that change the world…his power to transform lives and to refashion history as in the lives of saints [Francis, Dominic, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius Loyola].
Can we pray for the coming of Jesus, and sincerely say: ‘Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! ‘ We can… and we must!
We pray for anticipation of his world-changing presence. We ask him to be close to those we love or whom we are anxious. We ask him to be present and effective in his Church. Why not ask him to send us new witnesses of his presence today, in whom he himself will come to us? As He himself taught us, ‘Your kingdom come!'”
-Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Jesus of Nazareth (2011)
"The evangelization of the world by the Apostles is a MIRACLE; there is nowhere in the known world that an apostle has not set out to bring the teaching of Jesus Christ. Where did they obtain strength? From their union with the Divine Master. They taught the Gospel and they became themselves the living expression of that Gospel. Jesus Christ lived in them, and everything in their being proclaimed Him. Let us also work to express Jesus Christ in our lives. Let us receive from Him what we are to give to others. Let us abandon ourselves without reserve, striving to contribute, according to our humble means, to extend His Kingdom. Let us strive, so that we may become His apostles.
Let us respond to the miracle and continue it so that the designs of Jesus Christ may be accomplished by the free commitment of each of us through ardent and generous love. This will open us to all Our Lord may ask of us… Let our answer always be made with love and generosity."
-St. Marie Eugenie, Foundress of the Religious of the Assumption
On the Anniversary of the Foundation - May 2, 1884