The Ascension of the Lord
Lectionary: 58
28 MAY 2017 A.D.


First Reading
Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus,
I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up,
after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen.
He presented himself alive to them
by many proofs after he had suffered,
appearing to them during forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.
While meeting with them,
he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for "the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

When they had gathered together they asked him,
"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
He answered them, "It is not for you to know the times or seasons
that the Father has established by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,
suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, "Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven."


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
for the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.


Second Reading
Eph 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters:
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation
resulting in knowledge of him.
May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,
what are the riches of glory
in his inheritance among the holy ones,
and what is the surpassing greatness of his power
for us who believe,
in accord with the exercise of his great might,
which he worked in Christ,
raising him from the dead
and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,
far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,
and every name that is named
not only in this age but also in the one to come.
And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.


Alleluia
Mt 28:29a, 20b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;
I am with you always, until the end of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Mt 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Bible Study--The Ascension of Our Lord

"...Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations..."

Went to the Vigil Mass this evening for the Ascension and had a visiting Priest. He's retired and his Homily started with something I had to share with you all. In the first reading our celebrant asked:

"Our first reading from Acts says: 'In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught...' So, what exactly was the "first book?"

Well, our visiting Priest related to us that St. Luke is the author of Acts, so his "first book" is the Gospel according to St. Luke! The Gospel of Luke began with a prologue addressed to Theophilus; Acts likewise opens with an address to Theophilus and refers to "my earlier book", certainly St. Luke's gospel. Neat.

BUT--as St. Luke tells us, his first book dealt with "all that Jesus did and taught," whereas his second book--Acts deals with all the Apostles actions and teachings. And since we are the direct descendants of them--Acts is a book which continues--it's what we as Christians have done, are doing now, and will do in the future!

Acts, therefore, is a continuing and unfinished book! We won't get our deeds and actions published, of course, but nonetheless we are part of this glorious saga.

Wow! We are all part of the "Greatest Story Ever Told!"

If you think THAT is totally awesome, I invite you to spend a few minutes reading Fr. Pilon's blog here. This left me thrilled and speechless!

The Mystery of the Ascension: Where He Has Gone--WE WILL FOLLOW!

Thanks for the beautiful post and intrigue as well.
I had never noted the reference to the first book.

This feast day always causes me some fear. That period of time between when Jesus ascends to heaven and the emptiness that is left until Pentecost. 

This has been a difficult Easter season for me as there has been a great deal of loss over the past few months. And I've been working some long stressful hours on a highly political, high visibility project. The beatings are daily.
I've said this before. I can be surrounded by people daily but I know I am truly alone in this world except for a few close friends and God.
But NOTHING is more jarring than to sit in the presence of God and have that same loneliness. That's the separations that sin brings. I feel the same separation on Good Friday.  I am dependent on Christ. I can't IMAGINE what the apostles felt or where they found the courage.
With how horrifying we are as people, I wondered if God had given up on us.

Nope! Just remember, AF, in 1978 on that Vatican balcony, the first words out of the mouth of the newly-elected Pontiff, the now Pope St. John Paul:

BE NOT AFRAID!

Jesus is always with us. The more troubles we have, that much more GRACE he gives us!

Nothing we accept, receive, or do, NOTHING--is beyond His Grace!

WALK.
WITH.
GOD.

...every second, every moment.

When you can least afford the time for our Lord--things are THAT BUSY--it's exactly THAT TIME to slow down, reflect, and thank him for all, both good and bad, that he allows us.

Recall her story:

As she founded and visited convents, St. Teresa often traveled the rugged roads of Spain. She always wore her best on these journeys. One time her saddle slipped, and she found herself head down under the belly of a donkey as she crossed a stream. Covered in mud, grime, and gravel, she complained out loud to the Lord of her treatment, and she heard him reply, “Teresa, whom the Lord loves, he chastises. This is how I treat all my friends.”

She replied tartly, “No wonder you have so few!"

Thanks for the Hope BNA.
You can't even begin to imagine, how God has just used you to answer at least one prayer.

God bless you

Thanks for the Hope BNA.
You can't even begin to imagine, how God has just used you to answer at least one prayer.

God bless you

Many thanks, AF!

Let us know if we can assist in any way.

We are here for you!


BNA