This week's readings Week of May 12-18 Sunday, May 12, 2002 The Ascension of the Lord Reading I: Acts 1:1-11 Reading II: Eph 1:17-23 Gospel: Mt 28:16-20 Monday, May 13, 2002 Reading I: Acts 19:1-8 Gospel: Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday, May 14, 2002 Reading I: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Gospel: Jn 15:9-17 Wednesday, May 15, 2002 Reading I: Acts 20:28-38 Gospel: Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday, May 16, 2002 Reading I: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Gospel: Jn 17:20-26 Friday, May 17, 2002 Reading I: Acts 25:13b-21 Gospel: Jn 21:15-19 Saturday, May 18, 2002 Reading I: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 Gospel: Jn 21:20-25 Pope's Prayer Intentions May General Intention That faithful Christians may show others the Gospel of hope: That Christians may so live the totality of their faith that they are credible witnesses to the hope of the Gospel. May Mission Intention That Mary ever Virgin Mary may help women in families and the world: That Mary, the most holy Virgin and Mother, may help all people and cultures safeguard and promote the social and family vocation of women.

What would you do?:
If only you knew

		Word of God  Word of Life  Fr. John G. Stillmank

What would you do if you knew when you were going to die? For certain. To the day. To the minute. You know exactly when and how you're going to die. How would it affect your life? How would you feel? What would you do?

Would you be happy? Maybe, maybe not. Angry? At first, probably? Sad? Of course, for a while. What feelings would you experience? What would you do?

Readings for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord (May 12) Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Ephesians 1:17-23 Matthew 28:16-20

Maybe you would quit your job and blow your life savings on the greatest vacation ever, or spend the time instead with your family. Maybe you would plunge yourself deeply into your work, using the time until your death to make a lasting mark on the world.

Maybe you would seek out those you hurt, and make amends. Or those who hurt you, and forgive them. Maybe you would hold hands with others who were dying, give away your money to the poor.

What would you do?

"'Father, the hour has come,' Jesus prayed. He knew when he would die - and he embraced it, for his death was the crowning of the mission given to him by the Father."

"Father, the hour has come," Jesus prayed. He knew when he would die - and he embraced it, for his death was the crowning of the mission given to him by the Father. And he got ready.

"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world," Jesus prayed. That was part of his mission too. To prepare his followers for the time when he would no longer be among them. To teach them about the Father's love. To get them ready to receive the Holy Spirit. To send them out to all the world with the Gospel.

Most importantly, Jesus lived his life as if each day were oriented toward his life-giving death. He wasn't sullen or morose. He didn't brood about it. But he knew. He prayed. And he acted.

Jesus didn't waste his time on earth. He knew, as we all do, that he would die . . . and he knew when. We don't know when, but we know that we will die some day.

Paul knew he would die someday, and like Jesus he didn't waste time. He traveled and preached. He founded churches, and he encouraged his fellow Christians. So did Peter. And so have many followers of Jesus through the ages. Mother Teresa lived each day for Jesus, knowing she would meet him one day. So does Pope John Paul II.

What would you do, if you only knew? For we all know that death will seek each of us out. For some, sooner. For others, much later. For all, eventually. So we should think about it, and live as if we would die tomorrow, and live as if we want to live forever.

Fr. John G. Stillmank is Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Madison and pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Verona, and St. William Parish, Paoli.