Deacon Justin Moor: I think it is safe to say we could all use more Holy Spirit in our lives.

Father Jeremy Miller: As a metaphor, the Ascension is a wonderful way to see our mission as Christians – that we are called to be lifted up by God and therefore to rise above the things that trouble us and to bring others up with us.

Monsignor Michael Billian: The Mercy of God wipes out our past selfishness and leads us to respond to the Lord’s command to love others as he has loved us.

Deacon Justin Moor: Jesus is the true vine we desperately need, whether we realize it or not.

Monsignor Michael Billian: The Lord calls us to be all in every day — not later, but now.

Father Jeremy Miller: Even though we don’t physically touch him like those apostles in that upper room, we can know God.

Monsignor Michael Billian: To accept mercy requires trust, which is why it’s so hard to forgive by human powers.

Father Jeremy Miller: We are here because we value being at the empty tomb, but we are called to invite others and to help remove obstacles from others, to be able to enter the tomb with us.

Father Jeremy Miller: This day is meant to enter us into the silence of that tragic day over two thousand years ago.

Father Jeremy Miller: Tonight, let’s not keep God at a distance. Let us allow him to wash our feet so that cleansed of our own pride and self-pity we might lower ourselves to serve the needs of others.