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Benedikt XVI. writes: For us who have always lived with the Christian God concept and are indifferent towards it, the acceptance of hope which exudes from the real meeting with God, is hardly noticeable”. Is this a false proclamation by me or a frightening reality? Is the acceptance of hope noticeable for me? Noticeable during the meeting with God! This is an actual fact. How do I see the real meeting with God?

What did the disciples experience after Jesus had risen from the dead? In Acts 1:3 we read: “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”

Jesus told His disciples that they would be baptized by the Holy Ghost and they would receive the power of the Holy Ghost which would descend on them and they would be His witnesses Acts 1: 5-8). It is an inevitable sequencial process: By virtue of the Holy Ghost we become witnesses! On the other hand, we have to realize that if we are not witnesses we have not received the power of the Holy Ghost! Self-criticism is required! Every day, do I really live in expectation of Jesus being present? Experiencing His presence, does it raise the longing for being closer” to Jesus?

Luther writes:” Faith connects me closer to Christ than any husband would to his wife. Therefore faith should be taught properly, so that through the same faith you will be united and connected with Christ that you and He will be one person so to speak.”

Let us see what really happened: Some 2000 years ago Jesus was actually seen ascending to heaven and a cloud removed Him from in front of their eyes. Since then He has gone, He is with His Father. Contact can only be made through the Holy Ghost. A real meeting with Jesus is impossible. We cannot look into His eyes, cannot hear His words, cannot see Him directly in His glory. There are images, experiences, a presentiment. Do we think we have a real substitute in worship and devotion, in prayer, in the holy bible and many other things and are we happy with that? If we consider our current relationship with Jesus is it not inevitable to develop a huge longing which culminates in a great longing to express the wish:” Lord Jesus, let more of you come into my life. Come into my life completely. Let me see you, Lord Jesus. Let me touch you, Lord Jesus. Let me hear you.” I am convinced that only such an honest petition will change my life and a real Jesus-yearning will come into this world through me. Meeting Jesus must still remain our hope. And that is why revived Christians pray since the ascension: Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, come soon! Because we are longing for a personal meeting with the Ascendant, we are living in anticipation of the One to come – in anticipation of the rising of the Power and the Glory of Jesus and are longing for the day of His manisfestation!
Today it is necessary to rediscover that Jesus Christ is not only a private firm belief or an abstract teaching but that He is a real person whose appearance in history with the power to change the lives of everyone. “This was also written by Benedikt XVI. To change lives – but how? So, that I am on the way to this special event. In one of the hymns written in 1874 the Christians sang:” Give me your hand, I am giving you mine. The password is, we are travelling to heaven, it is the aim to walk the narrow path; the fear is to stay in childlike faith, the joy is to dedicate our lives to the Lord; the honour is to be born of God” (Hymn Book No. 423). Yes, we are urged to remain on our way and to move forward. Therefore we must encourage others to join us by introducing them, supported by the power of the Holy Ghost, to the longing for the coming of Jesus.
Is there a reason why communities die, personal faith diminishes and that there is such little joy in the life of Christians because the reason for the joy is attached to the life of Jesus Christ?
Live with the Resurrected and Ascendant, that revives lives – yours + others.