Each year, at this time, we celebrate four of the most important feasts of the Church year in rapid succession.
These feasts are: Ascension, Pentecost, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, and the feast of the Blessed Trinity. Like cars on a freeway during rush hour, they come so fast that we may not see them unless we look with Jesus’ eyes.
These feasts occur during busy times of graduations, weddings, vacations, and other activities that can hinder us from enjoying their graces. However, these feasts help to live our faith during summer and throughout the year.
This year, on May 16, on the Seventh Sunday of Easter in our diocese, we celebrate Jesus’ Ascension. Christ’s Ascension is not so much about Jesus’ absence, but his being present in a new way. Jesus has not abandoned us or left us orphans, but he intercedes for us from Heaven.
From Heaven, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to help us be his witnesses.
The apostles received the Holy Spirit on Easter evening. Others received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost when Mary and the apostles were also there.
Pentecost
This year we celebrate Pentecost on May 23. On Pentecost, Peter and the apostles who deserted Jesus on Good Friday were transformed into courageous Christian witnesses.
Consequently, the Church spread rapidly from Jerusalem to Samaria to the earth’s ends. This is why Pentecost has been called the birthday of the Catholic Church.
At Confirmation, we also receive the Holy Spirit who strengthens us like the apostles to be Christ’s witnesses.
On May 30, we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, the feast of God.
In no. 234 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “The mystery of the Holy Trinity is the central mystery of Christian faith and life. It is the mystery of God in Himself.’’
We were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We begin and end Mass with the sign of the cross.
During Mass, the priest leads us in prayer to the Father through Jesus in the Holy Spirit.
In no. 2205 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says that the family is a communion of persons, a sign and image of the communion of the Father and the Son in the Holy Spirit. The family is called to partake of Christ’s prayer and sacrifice. Daily prayer and reading God’s word strengthen it in charity.
Corpus Christi
Finally, on June 6, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. In the 13th century St. Juliana of Mont Cornillion, a Belgian nun, experienced a vision of the moon with a dark spot. Jesus revealed that the dark spot indicated that the Church needed a separate feast of the Eucharist. The Church already celebrated the institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday; but, Holy Thursday points to Jesus’ passion and death and begins the Easter Triduum. Through Sister Juliana’s efforts, in 1264 Pope Urban IV commanded that the feast of Corpus Christi be observed by the Universal Church.
In no. 1418 of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “Because Christ is present in the sacrament of the altar, he is to be honored with the worship of adoration. To visit the Blessed Sacrament is a proof of gratitude, an expression of love, and a duty of adoration towards Christ our Lord.”
To receive Communion fruitfully we must recognize that we are receiving Christ. Eucharistic Adoration and the Mass help us to recognize and adore Jesus in the Eucharist. When we receive Communion, the priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister holds up the host and says “The Body of Christ.’’ We respond by saying, ‘’Amen’’ which means I believe that I am really and truly receiving Christ.
In no. 1324 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it says, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.”
On August 16, 2015, in Rome, Pope Francis said that “The Eucharist is in fact the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, which has the ability to transform our hearts and minds to be more like Christ. Receiving Communion worthily transforms our life into a gift to God and to our brothers.”
Let us pray for the grace to fruitfully celebrate these four important feasts which help us live a more Christ-like life and get to Heaven.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9, it says, “Eye has not seen nor ear heard nor has it entered into human hearts what God prepared for those who love God.”
History shows that those who live a Christ-like life help to make this world a better place not only during summer but all our life.
Fr. Donald Lange is a pastor emeritus in the Diocese of Madison.