The Missionary Decade. Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ — “Personal confirmation in faith”

During the ten days between the Ascension and Pentecost, we will reflect on the texts of the Gospel of John, which are read during the Divine Liturgy, and together we will listen to the teachings that the Lord speaks at a time when the war continues in our country for the third year in a row. The themes to which the evangelist John draws our attention resonate with our search for resilience and indomitability, service and leadership, and healing and treatment of wartime trauma. The source of stability and endurance for us has always been prayer, reading the Holy Scripture, and participation in the Holy Sacraments. At the same time, the Christian family, the home church, and the closest circle of communication with friends are very important places for the formation of stability, solidarity, and healing for us. The experience of meeting God in the church and at home, especially now, prompts us to attend services more often and to accept the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fruits of which are our active volunteering and service in local parish communities, military hospitals, and centres for assistance to displaced persons and persons who are the most vulnerable in times of crisis and trials.

Thursday, May 9

A reading of the Holy Gospel according to Luke 24:36–53

“While they were still speaking about this, he stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of baked fish;he took it and ate it in front of them. He said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. And he said to them, ‘Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.’ Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.”

Reflections in time of war. This is the third year that we have met Easter and Pentecost in the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people against the large-scale russian invasion of Ukraine. We remember how the disciples of Christ, during His Passion and even after His Resurrection, hid from fear in the face of death. Many of us are still “scared and full of fear,” alarmed, and with doubts that arise in our hearts (Luke 24:37–38). We want to run away, take revenge, or somehow express our anger and frustration, but often we keep everything inside, seething with anger and hatred for the enemy and all the injustice that surrounds us. However, Christ, both then and now, enters our homes and communities and gives us peace and his Holy Spirit. He shows us his wounds and invites us to touch them. Although He is no longer crucified, He continues to suffer with us. Although He has already defeated death, He continues to die with us to show us that He is near, that He understands us, and that He teaches us to appreciate every moment of our lives and every person who is near us. In this way, He helps us turn fear into calmness, anxiety into endurance, and confusion into the ability to make the right decisions. He gives us his Spirit and his peace and gives us the mission to preach “repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all nations” (Luke 24:47), so that people can prepare for His Second Coming and His rule in the Kingdom of God through effective love.

Prayer intention. Today, let’s thank God for the stability of our Ukrainian State, for every defender and their families, for volunteers, and for doctors. Let’s remember them in prayer every day!

Prayer. “You ascended in glory, O Christ our God, giving joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit, and assuring them through Your blessing that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world” (Troparion for Ascension).

Mission task: Despite the difficult circumstances of life, find three things today for which you want to thank God and thank Him for them.

See also

May 15 The Missionary Decade. First day — “Christ is the way, the truth, and the life of marriage” May 14 The Missionary Decade. Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ — “Peace Be with You: Hope for the Ukrainian Family” May 13 The Missionary Decade 2026