Fr. Anthony Okon - Reflection

The Ascension of the Lord
May 14, 2026
Matt. 28, 16-20

Sometimes people think that heaven is far away from us and that life on earth is all that really matters. So they spend all their energy worrying about money, work, comfort, or success, while forgetting the deeper purpose of life. But today’s feast of the Ascension reminds us that we are made for something greater. Our final home is not here. Our true home is with God in heaven.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He did not abandon His disciples. He went ahead of us to open the way. The Ascension is not the story of Jesus leaving the world; it is the story of humanity entering heaven in Him. Where Christ the Head has gone, we hope to follow.

This gives us hope, especially when life becomes heavy. Many people today carry many worries: family problems, loneliness, sickness, heartbreak, disappointment, and fear about the future. The Ascension reminds us that these earthly struggles are not the final chapter of our lives. God has prepared something eternal for those who remain faithful.

That is why Jesus did not tell the disciples to stand still and keep looking at the sky. He sent them back into the world with a mission: “You are witnesses of these things.” In other words: live differently, forgive, help others, bring peace, stay faithful, pray, and continue to love even when it is difficult.

As Christians, our heads must be lifted toward heaven, but our feet must remain firmly on this earth. We cannot escape our responsibilities and life’s challenges. We still have families to care for, work to do, neighbours to help, and faith to live each day.

The good news is that we do not do this alone. Jesus remains with us throughout our journey. He strengthens us through His word, comforts us through the community of the Church, and unites Himself with us especially through the Eucharist. Every Mass is already a small meeting between earth and heaven.

So today, the Ascension invites us to live with hope. Hope helps us see beyond the daily challenges we face in life. Hope gives us direction and reminds us that heaven is real. Christ has gone before us. And while we journey toward that heavenly home, let us live faithfully here on earth — with our heads lifted toward heaven and our feet firmly planted in daily Christian life.

4th sunday of Easter. JESUS DE DOOR TO THE SHEEPFOLD.

It is easy to get lost in life. Not only on the road, but in decisions, relationships, and worries about the future. We try different paths, listen to many voices, and sometimes we are no longer sure where we are going.

In the Gospel today, Jesus says: “..
I am the gate.” He does not give complicated answers—He simply invites us to stay close, to listen, and to walk with Him.

Many of our struggles come not because we are bad, but because we try to carry life alone. We listen to pressure, fear, and comparison, and slowly we drift. But Christ reminds us that life is not just about moving forward, but about moving in the right direction.

“I came so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” Not just to survive, but to truly live—with peace inside, even when life is not perfect.

So the question remains simple: whose voice am I following? Because every voice leads somewhere. And if we follow Him, we will not be lost.

3rd Sunday of Easter

There are moments when life feels heavy—work, family struggles, uncertainty, or quiet sadness. The Gospel of the road to Emmaus reminds us that even in those moments, we are not alone. The two disciples were walking away in disappointment, yet Jesus came and walked beside them, listening and speaking hope into their hearts. They recognized Him in the breaking of bread, just as we encounter Him in the Word and in the Eucharist. Faith does not mean we never struggle—it means Christ meets us in the struggle. Even when we feel lost or tired, He is already near. And gently, step by step, He leads us back to hope.

Happy Sunday and Happy Mothers Day to all mothers celebrating their Mothers Day today.