Thank you for joining me for this livestream of the Mass for the Ascension of the Lord. Here in New Jersey, we typically would have celebrated the Ascension this past Thursday, but the bishops in the State decided that due to the pandemic and stay-at-home orders, they would transfer the Solemnity of the Ascension to Sunday this year.

This is also the second week in our message series, “More Than Words.” In this series we are looking at how our words matter, that they have power. The words we speak shape the way we look at life and they greatly influence the people around us. Yet, despite their power, we often diminish or dismiss the effect of our words. Sometimes we speak without really thinking about what we are saying because we discount the effect of our words. But words can hurt and wound us, while properly placed words can bring healing, renewal, and encouragement. By our words we are either bringing positive or negative expression to every aspect of our lives.

Our words matter because we have been made in the image and likeness of God. The ability to speak and communicate is one of the most powerful ways we reflect God’s image. Genesis tells us that God spoke the world into existence. God said let there be light and there was light. God spoke it and it happened.

Of course, we don’t have that kind of power, however, through the words we are consistently speaking, we’re sowing seeds, seeds that, over time bear fruit. Words have power. And that’s what this series is all about.

Last week, we looked at some of the ways our words can bring death. There is lying and manipulation, gossip and slander, murmuring and complaining and lots of other negative ways we can speak. We noted that these are a reflection of our heart.

Today, we want to look at how, sometimes, a key word, the right word, a well placed word, remain with us through many seasons of life, can clarify the direction of our life. I remember reading a powerful example of this. A psychologist, who worked for a prison, told how a prisoner came into his office and said, “Doctor, I am about to be released tomorrow, and I just want to thank you. You changed my life, and I know that I will never make the mistakes that I made that caused me to end up in here.” The psychologist was taken aback because he did not recall ever talking to this prisoner; he was not in any of the groups that he ran, and he certainly was not one of his regular patients. The psychologist ask the prisoner how he had been so helpful. The prisoner replied, “When I first arrived here 5 years ago, we had the standard intake session, and in looking at my file you told me that I had above average intelligence. No one had ever said that to me. In fact I was always told I was stupid and would always be a failure. But when you told me I had above average intelligence, it changed the whole way I looked at myself. While here I completed my High School diploma. I took the opportunity to learn a trade, and I already have a good job lined up when I get out of here. In fact I start work next week. What you said to me changed the entire direction of my life. Thank you.”

Of coarse not everyone heard words of encouragement. Many people struggle in school and throughout their lives being labeled with words that are ungenerous, unkind, or untrue. Words are spoken over us and they have power over us. They can even set the direction of our lives, for better or worse. 

But here’s an idea, and today’s message: Rather than allowing the random words of others to set our direction in life, we can choose the words giving direction to our life. We can choose God’s words. Throughout the Scriptures, God speaks to his people to help them clarify their direction and the plan he has for their lives. 

One of the most important examples of that in all of Scripture comes in today’s reading for the Feast of the Ascension. The passage we read comes from the final chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus assembled the eleven remaining loyal apostles. Then Jesus said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18).

As a result of going to the cross in fulfillment of his Father’s will, Jesus was given all power and authority over heaven and earth. Now as the ruler of heaven and earth, he is passing that authority over to the apostles.

This is a huge moment, Jesus is about to ascend into heaven and leave them with important work to do. He is about to define their mission as a group and why they exist. These are his final words before he leaves. So Jesus knowing the importance of these words phrases them very carefully; “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and ….” (Matt 28:18-19).

Jesus tells his disciples to go and…make up a lot of religious rules that are difficult to follow…have long boring ceremonies that people hate…play bingo! 

Of course that is not what he says, however as a Church we do all sorts of things 

that are a waste of time because as a Church we have forgotten the words Jesus spoke to the apostles. We have lost sight of the very simple words Jesus gave us that bring clarity to the mission of the Church. Until I arrived here at Resurrection, at the other parishes where I served it seemed that the Pastoral Council was always working on creating the parish mission statement. It drove me nuts that they spent so much time defining what the parish was suppose to be about. I frequently would open my Bible and read these last lines of St. Matthew’s Gospel, telling them that Jesus has already given us our mission statement. As pastor here, I have never asked our Pastoral Council to work on the parish’s mission statement. Rather I have asked them how can we do a better job of doing the mission Jesus gave us.

The main reason a lot of parishes are no longer growing and flourishing is because they’ve lost sight of these very words. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples” (Matt 28:19).

That’s why the Church exists. That’s why this parish exists. Those four words bring clarity to our life as a parish. We are to go and make disciples or students, followers and friend of Christ. That’s it, and everything else is a distraction.

In the same way, there are words in Scripture that can give you clarity and direction. And that is my challenge for you this week. Spend some time – 10 to 15 minutes – identifying a verse or story from Scripture that speaks to you helps you to clarify the direction and work of your life or the season of your life you’re in. Maybe God won’t lead you to a single verse but to a whole story that is kind of like your story. Maybe there is a character from Scripture that you have always liked or had an affinity for. 

Words have power. God’s word has God’s power. Use it.