Daily Gospel Reflection for May 5, 2016 - Ascension of the Lord

Today's Gospel: Luke 24:46-53 - Ascension of Our Lord

"Thus it is written," Jesus said, and I can't help but smile a bit. Because in my head, Jesus' voice is booming and reminding everyone that IT WAS WRITTEN (probably in bold and all caps) and THEY MISSED IT.

But the snark I insert isn't at all how Jesus was. Instead, he is probably preparing them for what will be one more amazing thing: he's going to leave in a matter that will be a bit remarkable.

In today's Gospel, we read that they returned to Jerusalem rejoicing. They were "continually in the temple praising God."

There's a lesson here, especially as we live in an age of amazing things. Think about the devices in our pocket that can instantly link us to a satellite in the sky, another person across the world, and tell us the weather report for ten days from now? How about the way we can transport ourselves across a continent in a day? For that matter, let's talk about the sunset the other night!

Amazing things are all around us, and I don't know about you: I'm not continually praising God.

Oh, God hears from me. He knows ALL ABOUT my dishwasher being on the blink. He has the COMPLETE UPDATE on my work challenges.

Where's my praise for these things? It's a step beyond gratitude and a mile or ten past my usual acknowledgement of the situation, whatever it may be.

True praise: let's aim for that today. Let's let go and just let Him have it...and THEN see what happens!

Ponder:

How and when can you praise God today continually?

Pray:

Lord, grant me the graces I need to let go of my own snark and cynicism so that I can get closer to continual praise for you and the awesome work you've wrought in and through my life.

Copyright 2016 Sarah Reinhard

When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one…more…chapter. You can find her online at SnoringScholar.com.