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When we were children, we were happy and felt safe when we believed that our loved ones were protecting us, especially if our sense of security had not been shaken previously. Jesus promises that if we believe and are baptized, we will be saved. Through the Holy Spirit, we will be able to do great things: we will have an unshaken sense of security.
When we experience hardship, our faith can be tested. Does this mean that our faith is not deep enough? We know what Jesus promised; and yet we doubt, sometimes even despair. Is the Holy Spirit in our hearts? Do we seek his guidance? Do we reach out to God to deepen our faith through Scripture and daily prayer? This will fortify us, helping us to see the workings of the Holy Spirit and maintaining our faith and the sense of security that we had as children. Hardship is inevitable, but through prayer we gain wisdom and understanding.
On Ascension Sunday, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us on our journey. May God reveal to us the gift of wisdom and revelation of which Paul writes in the second reading. Praise God with great joy and share the good news – Jesus, through his death, resurrection and ascension, is still with us. God is good!