Spiritual Deafness

Homily for May 17, 2026 The Ascension

Acts 1:1-11, Ps. 47:2-9, Eph. 1:17-23, Mt. 28:16-20

Spiritual Deafness

This weekend's readings point us to an incredible moment. The end of a Gospel and the beginning of Acts of the Apostles. A very incredible moment that most of us and history have been spiritually deaf to. Please bear with me as I attempt to explain. I don’t know much, but I’ve read some pretty amazing things from church history. Possibly with some undeserved Grace I can point to some wisdom.

It comes down to, we don’t listen to what God says. We don’t do what God asks. We listen to our will. We make plans that are more important than God’s. We lack childlike faith and trust in our heavenly Father.

I could stop here and let you guess but I’ll try. Jesus ascends, the Holy Spirit is coming to empower us to be as St Theresa of Avilla says, to be the hands and feet of Christ. I challenge you to google it. St Theresa of Avilla, Christ has no Body. Maybe we think that we have better use of our time, but I highly recommend it.

If I seem a bit salty, it’s frustrating to be in this position. I have hope and faith, but I’m tired. Knowing full well that we don’t really listen to God, I also know that we don’t really seek out and listen to the wisdom of the church. Knowing that, why would I even speak a word more here and now. Whose listening anyway? In salvation history, the trouble isn’t the people speaking or writing, the trouble is rarely do humans or Christians listen with childlike trust. Our spiritual deafness is a deep wound needing healing if our lack of trust is to be healed.

Let me try saying this with a story. I often spend time with addicts, homeless, immigrants, sinners, and depressed people. I often hear from the sidelines, why don't they just pull up their bootstraps, get over themselves, and straighten out their lives. What is implied, Why don't they do what I believe is so obviously simple? What I don't respond out loud is “because it's not that simple.” What if they looked at us and asked “why we don't pull up our bootstraps, get over ourselves, and do what Jesus asks”? Consider this like a parable to chew on.

We wouldn't like that would we. We shouldn't be telling each other “to pull up our bootstraps”. Instead we should do as Jesus does. Do what Pope Francis and Pope Leo have been telling us. Bishop Ricken has devoted nearly the past 10 years on this message of Discipleship. Encounter, accompany, love, teach, and overall have compassion and mercy. Have we heard and embraced? Stop judging, start living more fully the age of the apostles. I'm not here to chastise but to repeat the truth. The first apostles struggled like we are. They eventually caught on and lived out their faith deeper every day. Will we? What is it going to take? Why don’t we hear and trust God’s plan?

Humility is a great place to start. Maybe the why statement would help convince us. Why would I consider trusting God’s plan? How about that our society is starving for Christian's in Action and we are baptized and sent to respond. Our society is dying of thirst for a new age of disciples to more deeply embrace the words of Jesus and the gifts of the Holy Spirit and with God’s grace nothing can stop us. Our parish is begging for followers to ask what they can do. Are we aware? Have we heard the call? Look up the scripture verse about, “The harvest is plenty, the workers are few.” It’s not a lie.

Here's another hint copied from early disciples, Saints, and true reformers. More Mary, less Martha. Less being overscheduled with activity. Schedule more time at the feet of Jesus. Schedule time to listen to the needs of our community. Jesus will instruct us where to schedule our time more fruitfully.

Do not start with scheduling more, but instead, pray, ask, listen, discern. Where can my hands, feet, mind, heart, and soul be more deeply embraced in the mission of Jesus Christ here and now. In all things. Love. If we cannot do this in charitable love, it will be a resounding gong. That scripture doesn’t lie either.

St Therese of Lisieux teaches us the Little Way. Google it. If I cannot get anyone to google it, how would anyone even consider listening. This is all so hard for us little ones. We seek God to show us. Us little ones doing little things with great love. God help us.

Jesus ascends to send a message. Listen with childlike trust. God has a plan for us. The Holy Spirit descends to fill us with all that we need to respond to that plan. The question remaining is our response. Will we again be spiritually deaf? Even if we do hear, will we respond in faith?