Why are you standing there?

Forty days after the Resurrection, the disciples still don’t get it. Which is something I like about the disciples; they love Jesus and are trying to follow Him, but what He’s saying is so radical, it always takes them awhile to figure out what’s going on. Here they have witnessed Him defeat death and listened to Him preach about the coming kingdom of God and baptism of the Holy Spirit.

They ask for clarification: “Are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). His response is not just no but that that isn’t even the right question. First, this is not about political rule. He is not overthrowing the occupying government and restoring a kingdom like they wanted. Second, stop speculating about specific timing and plans. Instead, Jesus tells them, the Holy Spirit is coming, and you have work to do, to spread the Gospel throughout the world.

They are asking if He’s going to do something, and His response is, “you are.”

Blessed Imelda Lambertini

Imelda Lambertini was born in 1322 in Bologna, Italy, the only child to devout parents. At age five, Imelda asked to receive the Eucharist. At the time, children did not receive First Communion until age 14. Her desire never waned. By age nine, she still longed for the Eucharist and asked to join a convent. She was sent to live with Dominican nuns, though due to her age, she could not take any vows.

On May 12, 1333, the feast of the Ascension, she was kneeling in prayer when a light and an image of a host appeared above her head. The sacristan, who witnessed the event, called for the priest. Upon seeing the vision, the priest felt compelled to give Imelda Communion.

After receiving the Eucharist, Imelda returned to her spot and continued in prayer. When a nun came by later to get her for dinner, Imelda was still kneeling with a smile on her face. When the nun called her name, she did not move. When the nun touched her shoulder, she collapsed on the floor, dead.

Her spiritual writings and the story of her determined desire for the Eucharist gained popularity among Dominicans and those preparing for First Communion.

Blessed Imelda Lambertini is on the path to canonization as a saint. Her feast day is May 12. She is a patron for First Communicants.

St. Marculf

St. Marculf was born in the Bayeux region of Normandy around 500. Around age 30 he became a priest and missionary around Normandy and Jersey. But he desired to live as a hermit and was granted land to build a monastery in Nanteuil. He was known as a pious leader and miracle-worker.

St. Marculf died on May 1, 558 one of two small islands off the coast of Normandy, now named the Îles Saint-Marcouf.

After his death, he became known as an intercessor for those with skin diseases. His relics were transferred to Corbeny, near Reims, where they were used in the coronation of kings. It was said that kings, with use of his relics, could heal “the king’s evil” (the skin condition scrofula) by touch. Pilgrims would bathe in the natural springs near his shrine.

St. Marculf is a patron of those suffering with skin disease. His feast day is May 1.