During the Sunday homily held at the Cathedral of Cuernavaca, Bishop Ramón Castro Castro of the Diocese of Cuernavaca encouraged the community to live with hope and a Christian commitment, reflecting on the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a central event in the Catholic faith.
In his message, the bishop welcomed a group of young Olympic wrestling athletes and pilgrims heading to Rome in celebration of the Holy Year, offering them his blessings and support.
Addressing the liturgical feast, Castro Castro emphasized that the Ascension is not merely a story but a crucial event in Christ’s life that links His death, resurrection, and glorification. He stated, “Humanity, having been assumed by the risen Christ, enters with Him into the glory of the Father. This reveals our ultimate destiny as the people of God.”
The bishop pointed out that the Ascension serves as a sign of hope, as where Christ, the head, is present, so too is His body, the Church. He noted, “Our mortal nature is already, in principle, seated with Him in heaven,” referencing Saint Augustine to highlight that “Christ, by assuming human form, did not cease to be in heaven, and upon ascending, He did not depart from our midst.”
He explained that the Ascension signifies that Jesus has conquered death and entered into the fullness of life with God—not as a departure, but as a new way of being present among the faithful. “Christ remains with us in the Eucharist, in the most vulnerable, and within the community gathered in His name,” he emphasized, reminding all that “every promise of Christ is true and fulfilled.”
In conclusion, Monsignor Ramón Castro invited everyone to renew their faith and hope, reminding them that although Jesus ascended to heaven, He remains alive and present among His people.
This message resonates as a call for unity, resilience, and a deepened understanding of faith, especially during times of uncertainty. The encouragement to remain hopeful and committed reflects the core values of community and spirituality, vital for personal well-being and collective strength.