Welcome to Daily Rosary Meditations with Dr. Mike Shurzlick, where you learn how to meditate and establish a daily habit of prayer while discovering the truths of the Catholic faith. Is there someone you know that could benefit from daily prayer, share this meditation with them.

Welcome to our daily rosary meditation. Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for.

Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. Forty days later, he ascended into heaven on Ascension Thursday. That's today. Now many dioceses transfer this feast to Sunday,

but today is the actual date of the ascension. And it's one of the most important holy days

in our Christian year. So why did Jesus ascend into heaven? Why didn't he just stay with us

visibly? Jesus tells us exactly why he chose to leave. He said, truly, it is better for you that I go away,

because if I do not go, the advocate, the Holy Spirit will not come to you, but if I go, I will send him to you.

But how could it be better for us if Jesus leaves? Well, consider how the

disciples had, for the most part, simply watched while Jesus preached, healed, forgave, suffered,

and worked for the kingdom of God.

Even once Jesus had risen, the apostles remained passive, content to wait and see what Jesus will do next.

They appear to expect him to do all the work.

In fact, their very last question is, Lord, will you now restore the kingdom of Israel?

But the Apostle's time of watching is over. It's time for them and for us to get to work.

And St. Paul tells us that we are supposed to be the co-workers of God.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallow it be your name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou among women,

blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God,

pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. Hail Mary, full of grace,

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