This Thursday we celebrate the joyous feast of the Ascension. For His Apostles it was also awesome yet in a way frightening. They were now left without their teacher and for the next nine days must await word from Him accompanied by the Blessed Mother cloistered in The Upper Room. Below is a short excerpt from my novel followed by a poem.
Excerpt from Ch. 45 of Daybreak:
{Jonathan and his friends Simon and Abraham are returning to Jerusalem after spending the night at the home of Lazarus, While walking on the Mount of olives they happen to meet the eleven Apostles of Jesus who just witnessed a miraculous event.}
“Peter, what happened today?” Simon asked, unable to wait any longer.
“We eleven were in the upper room in Jerusalem south of the Temple where we had observed Passover together. He appeared to us and then brought us here to the mountain overlooking the town of Bethany. He told us we would not see Him again until He comes in glory and He would prepare a place for us in the mansions of heaven. Elijah and Moses joined the Messiah, one on each side of Him. A cloud suddenly covered them and they were gone,” Peter said.
“Two beings, arrayed in white garments that shone with an unusual light, appeared at once beside us,” John continued. “They asked, why are you staring after Him for He will return as he left.”
Peter said, “He told us to go back to Jerusalem with His mother and await the Spirit of truth. The Spirit would give us the courage we needed to spread the good news of His teaching. We are on the way to His Mother and ours, and then to the upper room where we celebrated Passover.”
( Poem written in 2003 )
LORD LET ME BE READY
They stretched their necks and gazed in wonder as their Master was taken from them. They were not ready to lose Him; they were not prepared. They cowered to be alone. But their Lord knew they needed Him. He allowed them to grieve in prayer. They had their mother to console them.; He was merciful to His friends. This Novena would bring them to readiness to receive a powerful gift. Will I be ready, Lord? Will your face knock me from my feet; prostrate my body and my soul? In grief I wait. Prepare me as they were prepared. Lord let me be ready. Keep me close to You through Her; open my soul to receive your gift. Bend my heart that I may look up and see you coming in the clouds with the angel beside me saying: He is coming back just as He left.
Greet Him. You are ready. His Spirit is in you. Alleluia!
DJ Pasternak, Author 