Ascension Thursday

Good morning. In today’s Gospel Jesus makes two very important statements. He gives us a mission, and He assures us He will be with us always. When we apply this Gospel message to marriage it provides for us some very clear direction for our marital journey. For starters, this passage from the Book of Matthew reminds us that God offers us an infinite relationship and that all other relationships are finite, yes, even the best of marriages are finite. We are reminded that eventually every marriage, no matter how wonderful the relationship is, comes to an end. But, our relationship with God is endless, and when God is in our marital relationship it makes for all the difference. The other very important message Jesus offers us in today’s Gospel is that each of us has a mission and if this mission is at the center of our marital relationship, it will make for all the difference as to how lasting our marriage is. It is important to always keep in mind that ultimately our mission is not of this world. If we are about the mission Jesus gives us, it will be unto death do us part, if our mission is about this world, the world will part us. When the mission Jesus gives us is at the center of our marriage then it makes a difference in us and it makes a difference in the world around us—the world will not be able to part us. A long time in any relationship can cause us not to fully appreciate each other and this may include our relationship with God. Whether with our spouse or with God it is important that we make both relationships a priority and it is through prayer and the sacraments that we come to keep both relationships a priority in our lives and keep that mission Jesus gives us alive in our marriage. Make a great day!

Today we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven. “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”