Join Father Scott Steinkerchner, OP, for this week's "Know Before You Go" reflection on Ascension Sunday. Reporting from St. Louis during the ordinations of our newest brothers, Dominick Jean and Joseph Van Havermaet, Fr. Scott dives into the fascinating and sometimes contradictory accounts of Jesus' departure.
Why do we celebrate the Ascension on Sunday instead of Thursday? Who was Theophilus? And what were the disciples supposed to do once Jesus disappeared into the clouds?
Fr. Scott explores the "rub" of the Ascension: the period of waiting between Jesus leaving and the Holy Spirit arriving at Pentecost. It is a time characterized by "keeping on," dealing with doubt, and staying faithful even when the next steps aren't yet clear. If you’ve ever felt like you’re in an "in-between" season of life, this reflection is for you.
✨ **Key Takeaway:** We cannot be Christ for the world without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, the most faithful thing we can do is live with our uncertainty and wait for God's inspiration.
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**🕒 TIMELINE / CHAPTERS:**
0:00 - Introduction and Ordination News
0:32 - Diving into the Readings: The Book of Acts
0:52 - Who is Theophilus? (The "God Lover")
1:44 - Why 40 Days? Thursday vs. Sunday Ascension
2:30 - The Instruction: Wait for the Holy Spirit
3:02 - The Victorious Messiah? The Disciples' Question
3:44 - The Ascension and the "Cheeky" Angels
4:21 - The In-Between: Life Before Pentecost
4:53 - "Keeping On": The Election of Matthias
5:50 - The Gospel of Matthew: No Ascension?
7:05 - Worship and Doubt: The Disciples' Struggle
7:45 - Waiting for Inspiration to Act
8:31 - The Church as the Body of Christ
9:35 - Living with Uncertainty and Trust
10:05 - Final Blessing and Prayer Request
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**🙏 SUPPORT & REFLECT:**
* **Pray:** Please keep our newly ordained brothers, Dominick Jean and Joseph Van Havermaet, in your prayers!
* **Subscribe:** Don't miss our upcoming Pentecost reflection.
* **Comment:** How do you handle seasons of waiting or "in-between" times in your faith?
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**#️⃣ HASHTAGS:**
#Catholic #AscensionSunday #BibleStudy #HolySpirit #ChristianLife #Pentecost #GospelOfMatthew #BookOfActs #FaithAndDoubt #Dominicans #CatholicOrdination
