The solemnity of the ascension of Jesus
Today is day we have a lot to celebrate. First of all, it is the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ and it is also World Communications Day and for families all over the world, it is also Mother's Day. Of course Mother's Day is a retail outlet's annual promo to honor mothers so sons and daughters go shopping to give presents to their mothers. So if your mother is still with you, blow them a kiss. And if they have left us already, send them a prayer in heaven.
Today is also the 101st anniversary of the first appearance of our Blessed Virgin Mary to the three children, Lucia dos Santos, Francesco, and Jacinta Marto at the Cova de Iria, in Portugal. Here is a short report that I took from Wikipedia on this event in Portugal.
"The apparitions took place on a small property belonging to Lucia's parents called Cova da Iria, about a mile and a half from Fatima. The three seers were playing at Cova da Iria on May 13, 1917 when they saw two flashes like lightning, after which they saw the Mother of God above a holm oak. She was, according to the description of Lucia, "a Lady dressed in white, more brilliant than the sun…" Her face, indescribably beautiful, was "neither sad nor happy, but serious," with an air of mild reproach. Her hands, joined together as if she were praying, were resting at her breast and pointing upward. A rosary hung from her right hand. The seers were so close to Our Lady - about a yard and a half away - that they stood within the light that radiated from her."
The Blessed Virgin Mary declared she was the Lady of the Rosary, so I hope you have prayed the rosary today in her honor. The first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary was preceded by the three apparitions of the Angel of Peace in Portugal.
My God, I believe, I adore,
I hope and I love Thee!
I beg pardon for all those
who do not believe, do
not adore, do not hope and
do not love Thee.
Amen.
Today's gospel reading comes from Mark 16:15-20. This is the last part of his gospel.
"15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
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Pope Francis came up with his themed message for World Communications Day, which explores what makes fake news 'fake,' how to recognize it, truth as an antidote, and how "journalism for peace" takes people as its focus. World Communications Day is the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council. Allow me to reprint an excerpt from Pope Francis message:
"In today's fast-changing world of communications and digital systems, we are witnessing the spread of what has come to be known as fake news. This calls for reflection, which is why I have decided to return in this World Communications Day Message to the issue of truth, which was raised time and time again by my predecessors, beginning with Pope Paul VI, whose 1972 Message took as its theme: 'Social Communications at the Service of Truth.' In this way, I would like to contribute to our shared commitment to stemming the spread of fake news and to rediscovering the dignity of journalism and the personal responsibility of journalists to communicate the truth."
To counter fake news, all you have to do is open the Bible to John 8:32, which declares, "The Truth will set you free!"
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