The Ascension of the Lord
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 thekingdom 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: 47:2-3.6-7.8-9
Response: 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. (Response)
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. (Response)
For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (Response)
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23Response: 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. (Response)
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. (Response)
For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (Response)
Brothers and sisters: May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of glory, may 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.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 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."
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
The disciples went back to Galilee. They met Jesus on a mountain. Mountain is the place where God dwells. Mountain is the place of revelation (Sinai, Tabor, Zion etc). After resurrection Jesus revealed himself to the disciples on a mountain. The disciples also worshiped him. Jesus was accepted as God and worshiped on a mountain.
Jesus affirms his Godhead (all power in heaven and on earth has been given to me); commissions them (go therefore and make disciples) to baptize them and teach them; and assures them of his continual presence till the end of days. He takes the role of god among his people. After resurrection Jesus takes the role of God and fulfils it among his disciples.
Jesus affirms his Godhead (all power in heaven and on earth has been given to me); commissions them (go therefore and make disciples) to baptize them and teach them; and assures them of his continual presence till the end of days. He takes the role of god among his people. After resurrection Jesus takes the role of God and fulfils it among his disciples.
