Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
How is it better that Jesus returns to the Father, and sends the Holy Spirit among us? Consider human nature, how quickly we take even the most precious gifts for granted, how even the remarkable, in time, becomes ordinary. Imagine, then, if Jesus had not returned to Heaven but rather remained here on Earth. Perhaps His followers would have built a great palace in Jerusalem, grander than St. Peter’s in Rome, where Jesus preaches every day, receives guests, and heals the sick, drives out demons, and so on. Every day you turn on the news and hear of the latest miracles and healings, and then switch to your favorite game show. Some of the more adventurous or pious might make a trip to Jerusalem once in their lifetime, or perhaps annually; newly weds will go for a special blessing, or perhaps some families will want their child to have their First Communion at one of the daily Masses. Ultimately, though, we will get used to Jesus, becoming complacent. We will not be terribly concerned about Heaven; after all if I desire to be with Him, I could just go to Jerusalem, or perhaps travel to wherever He makes one of His international visits, like the Pope does.
But if Jesus goes to Heaven, then those of us who long for Him will long for Heaven as well. If He sends the Spirit, then Jesus can be everywhere we are by means of the Blessed Sacrament, or any other way the Spirit makes possible. Through the Spirit Jesus is able to continue His ministry in each of us, in every place, at every time. By leaving Earth for Heaven, Jesus is able to be fully present to both, to bridge the gap until He returns, and Heaven and Earth are one.