My name is Elizabeth Ngami. Greetings from Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa!

I am glad to join the women of the world as we commemorate this very important day in our Christian faith. The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ is the final act of our redemption that Christ began on Good Friday.

Now and forever, our Lord Jesus Christ reigns, let us rejoice in the glorified King of all nations. God raised him from the dead “and seated Him at His right hand in heaven, far from all principality, power, might, and dominion.” As we see in the Psalm of today, “God mounts His throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.”

Let us live confidently, boldly, and as wise servants of the exalted King of heaven. As Paul prays for the Ephesians, may we pray that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ will give us a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. The eyes of our hearts be enlightened, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call.” As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves these questions: What is my purpose here on earth? Do my actions have a positive impact on somebody's life? What influence do I have in the society as a Christian using the skills and opportunities God has given me? I'm encouraged daily by Christian Professionals who are members of the Kenya Christian Professionals Forum where I serve, who have come together to provide social and legal support to the church. We testify that God is our origin and the source of all Life, which is nurtured in families, the families forms communities which need good governance and social justice for a cohesive and harmonious existence. By focusing on these thematic areas, we look into laws and policies that affect these issues (Religion, Life, Family and Governance) and provide a Christian Perspective in formulation and implementation processes. This is done through research and advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

The scriptures of today give us hope in our daily lives, for we are to remain and abide by Him, He who is mightier and all powerful. This glorious Jesus, who we celebrate today, went through a lot -- passion and death on the cross.  Jesus Christ calls us to have peace in Him, in the world, we will have tribulations; but to be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world. As the apostles asked Jesus to “increase their faith,” let it be our prayer too, that our actions be a manifestation of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, for “if our faith does not have works, it is dead."

In today's Gospel, the book of Mark reminds us of our mission that the Lord Jesus left to us, to go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. This is our role, as His followers who were baptized in His Holy name, to continue with His ministry here on earth.

The story of St. Josephine Bakhita, is an encouragement to many, in her last years, despite her painful memories of her slavery, when asked “how are you” she says, “I am so happy”. The slavers named her Bakhita which means “Lucky,” and indeed she was, despite the lamentation behind the pain and anguish she went through, she would still love her captors, as she said “if these things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today.” We are challenged to grow stronger and closer to God always, no matter the challenges or attacks we face in our belief in Him. They should actually increase our faith in God who will save us and guard us. In this world, we encounter difficulties and sometimes even hurt or rejected by the people who are so dear to us or we love.

In our contemporary society, filled with vices such as poverty, rape cases, sexual immorality, domestic violence, cultural practices that undermine the dignity of a human person, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), inequality,  and other vices, we are called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, and even our enemies; by this we will be expressing the love that we find in Christ that is so immeasurable, for he died on the cross so that my sins and yours may be forgiven and that we may have eternal life.

Jesus commissions us this day to be His witnesses; we shall receive the Holy Spirit and we shall be His witnesses for all the nations. As His children, let us not be bound by the fear, bondage of sin, injustices, pleasures of this world, sin of ignorance and ommission, but that we may be responsible people, fearful of God, helping the needy and be holy in every aspect of our conduct, for it is written “be Holy because He is Holy.” Let us learn to uphold the dignity of all human beings, respect and be promoters of peace and justice as Jesus taught us and be messengers of the truth.

Jesus has gone to heaven to prepare a place for us, let us be ready as we await His return. In the first reading, we see Him telling his apostles that “It is not for them to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority.” As Jesus prays for His disciples to be kept from evil, let us strive to live a righteous life and that we may be consecrated in truth.

Let us pray this day, that Our Lord Jesus, will send the Holy Spirit to our hearts, to our families, our nation and the whole world. May we practice the theological virtues in our daily lives; Love, Hope and Faith. As St. Bakhita, whose strong missionary drive animated her entire life, that “her mind was always on God, and her heart in Africa"; may we always be drawn to love others as the Lord Jesus Christ loved us, that he accepted to die for our sins, even death on a cross.