Feria III after the Ascension: A Time of Waiting and Witness
The days following the Ascension of Our Lord are a profound time for reflection and anticipation within the liturgical cycle of Traditional Catholicism. As we dwell in the period between Ascension and Pentecost, our hearts and minds are turned toward the themes of waiting, preparation, and the strength derived from the Holy Spirit. The readings from 1 Peter 4:7-11 and John 15:26-27; 16:1-4, provide a fertile ground for meditation during this time, encapsulating the essence of our responsibilities and the nature of our witness as followers of Christ.
Reflection on 1 Peter 4:7-11: Living as Stewards of God’s Grace
In his first epistle, Saint Peter exhorts us to live with the end times in clear view: “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (1 Pet 4:7). The imminence of the end times is not a cause for fear but a call to a more fervent and focused Christian life. Peter encourages us to love intensely, to offer hospitality, and to employ the gifts God has given each of us in service to one another. Each believer is to act as a steward of God’s manifold grace, administering it to others in the form of spiritual gifts used for the building up of the Church. This exhortation is particularly poignant during the period after Ascension, as we are reminded of our mission to prepare ourselves and the world for the final coming of Christ.
Peter’s call to “serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Pet 4:10) highlights a dual aspect of our Christian vocation: the inward journey of prayer and self-control, and the outward journey of service and hospitality. This balanced approach ensures that our spiritual lives are not just about personal sanctification but are also oriented towards community, reflecting the communal love of the Trinity.
Reflection on John 15:26-27; 16:1-4: The Role of the Holy Spirit and the Call to Witness
In the Gospel of John, Jesus prepares His disciples for the coming adversities they will face after His departure. He promises the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will testify on His behalf. The disciples, too, are called to bear witness. Jesus’s forewarning about the persecutions to come serves not to dismay the disciples but to prepare them for the reality of their mission. They are not left as orphans; the Holy Spirit is coming to empower them for testimony.
Jesus’s words “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. And you also must testify” (John 15:26-27), link directly to the themes of Pentecost. The period of waiting after the Ascension is thus a preparatory phase, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual strength and readiness to proclaim the Gospel amidst trials.
Living Out Our Faith
In combining these scriptural passages, our reflection during Feria III after the Ascension brings into focus our role as Christians in a world that both yearns for and resists the truth of Christ. Like the early disciples, we are equipped by the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses to Christ’s saving work. We are urged to be vigilant in prayer, steadfast in love, generous in hospitality, and courageous in service.
As we look forward to Pentecost, let us consider how we are using our gifts in the service of others and how we are preparing ourselves through prayer and sanctification. Let these days be a time of spiritual strengthening, as we await the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, ready to fulfill our calling with renewed zeal and profound love.
In this period of expectant waiting, may we truly live as those who are not only waiting for the return of Christ but actively preparing the world for His coming. Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and all the saints, may we be made worthy of the promises of Christ.