I remember when I was very small - mom came and asked me if I could keep a secret. "It's very important." To this day, I don't remember the content of the secret. (It may have been about my sister's upcoming birth) But I do remember how it made me feel to be trusted. Here was something in my hands to be safeguarded and protected. And mom trusted ME... - not any of my brothers - just me.... I felt honored, special, empowered.... If I could keep a secret, I could do anything...

Then, as I matured, I remember being entrusted with tasks in grade school - to help buy a present for a classmate who had been injured in a car accident, to sing in the choir, to play guitar for masses for the whole school. I was a part of something. In high school - my classmates asked me to design the gym ceilings of crepe paper for awards nights and graduations. The task was mine, and it was wonderful to know I could do it - and that others trusted me to do it well.

In college - people began trusting something even more powerful to me - their hearts. As I listened, they would pour out their stories, their pains, their joys - and I was allowed to be a part of that - and not only that - I found that I could make a difference in their lives by my listening and my response. I also found, I could not do it alone. Some problems were too much for me... Needed to bring those to God. And he would come through. Being trusted and trustworthy - living up to that call - what a wonderful way to be in the world.

It is what this day is about - being trusted and trustworthy. For doesn't the feast of the Ascension say to you and I: "You are so important to me." For the task of building the kingdom is yours. "full authority has been given to me - therefore GO and baptize. GO and do that which my life has labored to bring about. GO for I hand it on to you. Do you see how important we are - you and I- the very mission of Jesus is ours.

Oh, and by the way - you won't be doing it alone. You will have power from the spirit. You will be enabled to hold people's lives and dreams and realities and wants and fears and hopes in your hands. And I will be with you always as you transform the darkness of our sin into the bright promise of the resurrection. How important we are - isn't it incredible. And whether we are nine or ninety nine, JESUS invites us: "be my hands, be my feet, be my presence, be my love, be my life now - poured out and broken for the world." Be willing to be transformed by the Jesus whom we receive here into the Jesus who transforms the world. It's what the people leaving next Sunday on the Service trip know- they are sent to be the presence to the people of Dodridge county. It's what our Seniors preparing to graduate know - God sends them from this safe haven into the world to help transform it.

And isn't that what mothers know - how trusted they are with the life that is given them - how utterly important they are in the raising of their children and the teaching of them the good news. Sent to be the presence of Jesus to their children. Thanks…

I have to think that the disciples had that 'gulp' moment - looking up to heaven, watching Jesus go - and realizing - oh! It's up to us isn't it? It's our job now. GULP!. Yet, that you and I stand here tonight is proof that the Spirit's power continues to work in this world.

So, let this week find you basking in the glow of being trusted - let no unkind word, gossip, bit of slander or rumor pass your lips. Be full of the importance of the mission - let no moment go by without our prayer for the kingdom. Be trustworthy with the gift of life - write letters to congress telling to end the death penalty. Be trustworthy in the market place - do not cheat or defraud any customer or employer. Be trustworthy with the grace you have received and will receive - 'the immeasurable scope of his power in those who believe'. In him we have strength.

People of the Newman Community, don't stand looking to the heavens, looking to the cross, looking for some moment when God will magically change the folly of this world by a snap of his fingers. That is the important task that is yours to do…and there's work to be done.