Today’s celebration of the Ascension of the Lord reminds us that Jesus did not abandon the world when He returned to the Father. Instead, He entrusted His mission to the Church, promising: “I am with you always.” The disciples were no longer called to stand looking at the sky, but to become witnesses of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

On this World Communications Sunday, the Church also reflects on the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.” The Holy Father reminds us that communication is not only about technology, but about truth, encounter, and love. In a world filled with social media and artificial intelligence, Christians are called to communicate differently — with compassion, wisdom, respect, and hope. Christian communication is not manipulation; it is communion.

This celebration also becomes a moment of thanksgiving for 37 years of the presence and mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ) in the Philippines. From humble beginnings, the SCJ mission has grown to serve 8 parishes in 6 dioceses, with 3 formation houses and 1 spirituality center, present in Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. Today, the congregation includes 31 priests, 5 novices, 1 theology student, and more than 20 candidates discerning their vocation.

The feast reminds us that Christ continues His work through His people. The world today does not only need more information or technology — it needs authentic witnesses, compassionate hearts, and voices that proclaim truth and hope. The Ascension was not the end of Christ’s mission on earth; it was the beginning of ours.