Ultimately, the event of Jesus’ ascension is about transition and change, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald. Jesus had spent his life showing us that God’s love for us and our world is limitless and unconditional. He commissioned all who would be his disciples to reflect God’s love to everyone we encounter. To do that, we have to be ever open to growth, to change, to transition as we adapt to meet the ever-changing people we encounter.

Jesus called his commandment to love new simply because loving one another, even enemies, was not a priority for the people of his era, and has not been for our world over the last two thousand years, reflects Christian Brother Julian McDonald. The way of non-violence, of compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness and love is new, simply because we have been unable to embrace it. At a time when world leaders have at their disposal technology and weaponry sufficiently powerful to obliterate us all, the need to imitate the love of Christ is more urgent than ever. Accepting Jesus’ new commandment will come at a price, and will certainly be countercultural.

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, as we gather for and participate in worship, as we reflect on Jesus as shepherd and as ourselves as dear to him, we will very likely sing a version of Psalm, 23 The Lord is my shepherd…” probably the most memorised text of the entire Bible, after the Lord’s Prayer, reflects Br Julian McDonald CFC.. Psalm 23 initially looks like an idyllic, pastoral prayer of trust and confidence in God as shepherd. But then comes mention of valleys filled with darkness and the shadows of death. The “sheep” in the psalm trust in God’s providence, but still have eyes wide open to the dangers that they risk as they travel the way of justice and righteousness.

In today’s gospel-reading, Luke illustrates, through the parable of the fig tree, how Jesus explained that change of mind and heart does not happen in an instant or as the result of a sudden moment of inspiration. Rather, it generally happens over time, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald.

The Transfiguration event set the stage for the death and resurrection of Jesus that would give to all of humankind something of the light that Peter, James, John, and Jesus, too, experienced on the mountain, writes Christian Brother Julian McDonald..