This Sunday is the seventh Sunday of Easter on which we also commemorate World Social Communications Sunday.

As Christians, we are reminded to make good use of social communications, social media, and other means in our world today to spread the Good News and the truths of the Gospels, the teachings of Our Lord, and the Christian truths to a world where many do not know the Lord and where many, even those within the Church, do not really know, understand, and appreciate what they all believe in — our faith in the One, True God.

We have this mission to spread the Good News, a great opportunity for us to make use of our capabilities in communicating to others about the Lord and His truth in our society today.

Despite the negative reactions around us, we are strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit to stand up firmly for our faith in the Lord and proclaim the salvation of God throughout history and how everything has been accomplished perfectly in the same Jesus Christ who had come into this world and whom many members of the Sanhedrin had rejected and persecuted — and crucified on the Cross.

Just like myself, for example. There were some bishops, priests and religious who were against me and wanted me silenced. They even issued circulars to warn the Catholic faithful about me and, yet, not letting fear overcome me, I courageously and continuously spoke out about the realities happening within and around the Church. I fully trusted in the Lord and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and courageously proclaimed the Lord and His salvation to all through preaching.

Now, from the Gospel passage this Sunday, we hear of the prayer the Lord Jesus said on behalf of His disciples and followers to His heavenly Father, praying for them that they all may be one and united with each other just as He Himself and the Father are One, and that they may be strengthened amid the challenges and trials that they all must face in carrying out their faith and actions to fulfil what the Lord had entrusted to them.

He prayed for all of them that they may have perfection in unity, and that none of them may be lost from Him, as He truly loved them all very much. And whatever the Lord had prayed for at that time still very much rings true to this day, to all of us who continue to follow Christ our Lord and continue to carry out His good works in our respective communities today.

Brothers and sisters, let me make this clear: Jesus ascended into heaven by His own merit and as the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Mary was taken up into heaven as a privilege to her when she said yes to God to become the mother of Jesus. While we who are still alive have to struggle with the world’s temptations, avoiding sin as we conquer evil with good in order to enter Heaven.