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The Ascension of the Lord Mass Readings
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052420-ascension.cfm
deacon rudy’s notes
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord! I tend to agree with the theologian Michael Himes who suggested that the Ascension is probably one of the most misunderstood feasts in the life of the Church and one of the most poorly celebrated in our liturgical calendar. Today isn’t a celebration of some grand bon voyage party where we all wave our hands goodbye as Jesus moves on to a better place. That idea misses the mark and reinforces the incorrect idea that there’s something inherently wrong with this world and our human bodies.
That’s probably why the two holy men dressed in white appear to the apostles. To me, that’s a funny scene. These two blessed are dispatched to encourage the apostles. Can you picture that scene? These two guys show up and look around and they see a group of guys staring up at heaven. They probably do a double take before they realize that these are the guys who Christ picked to lead the Church.
I can almost see them shaking their heads as they say, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts, 1:11). Of course, we know why, right? In the Gospel today we hear that the eleven had doubts, (Matthew, 26:17). These guys who walked with Jesus and knew he was crucified and were in his presence after his resurrection and who witnessed as Jesus as he told Thomas to look and touch his wounds still had doubts. It’s not because they were only human that they had doubts. It’s because of our fallen nature at work. That Original Sin disorients us from God and makes it difficult for us to tune in to who God is.
You see, as our second reading from Ephesians affirms, what sits at the right hand of the Father is a human being just like you and just like me in every way except sin, (Ephesians, 1:20). We also affirm this every time we recite the Creed. What the ascension makes clearer than ever is that what unites us with God is our humanity. That’s what the doctrine of the Incarnation is all about – God makes humans and all creation holy by becoming human.
To be the best version of ourselves not only means pushing ourselves to learn and grow as individuals and as a people, but to unite all that we are and that we become with the Father through Christ Jesus. One of the Church Fathers, Irenaeus of Lyons who was in contact with Polycarp who was instructed by John the Apostle, is often quoted as having said, “the glory of God is a human being fully alive.”
The Good News of Jesus Christ is all about our salvation – yes – and that includes helping us all realize the beauty and dignity of God’s creation – including us! That is a powerful message. There are too many people walking around afraid because of COVID-19, or feeling unfulfilled, unhappy, despondent. That there have been so many suicides during this pandemic is sign of the great work before us as a Christian people.
You see, the Gospel challenge, which is affirmed by what we learn from Acts, is that we are to go out into the world to give people hope – hope that their lives having meaning, (Matthew 28:19-20). But that meaning only makes sense through Jesus Christ. All three of the most recent popes have reminded us of the need for the new evangelization – an evangelization not only aimed in distant missionary fields, but also among our increasingly secularized world.
All of us are called to participate in the Church’s effort at evangelization. Even witnessing our faith by going to mass or praying at home can send a powerful message to our friends and family. But there is also a need to support missionaries in foreign lands and here at home both financially and prayerfully. Sitting at home and doing nothing is not an option. If we’ve learned anything from this pandemic, it’s that we need to stay connected. We just don’t know who among our family and friends might on the verge of succumbing to despair. We must share the hope of Jesus Christ. Don’t worry, because we are not alone! Jesus reminds us that he will be with us, (Matthew 28:20).
Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.
- When they saw him, they worshipped, but that doubted. What distracts me from prayer and worship? How do I deal with distractions and doubts?
- All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. How have I seen God’s power active in my life? How can I learn to surrender my will to God?
- And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. How can I accompany those who are doubting or troubled? When have I invited others to experience God’s presence?
I think doing our homework will help us practice what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!
Image Credit: Unknown.
References:
1. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2004.
2. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
3. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
4. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
6. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009.
Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Faith seeking understanding, 158
2. “All that Jesus did and taught,” 512
3. Appearances of the risen Jesus, 641-44
4. Jesus’ ascension, 659-72, 697, 792, 965, 2795
5. As Lord of history and the cosmos, 668
6. As head of the Church, 669
7. Cloud as symbol of the Holy Spirit, 697
Coming of the kingdom, 672-73
8. Promise of the Holy Spirit, 729
9. The Church as missionary, 767-68, 849-56
10. The Church as the body of Christ, 790, 795
11. The Church was founded on the apostles, 857-60
12. Outpouring of the Spirit, 1287
13. Hope, 1817-21
14. Gift of wisdom, 1831
The Ascension of the Lord
Mass readings: http://cms.usccb.org/bible/readings/052420-ascension.cfm
Lectionary: 58
Reading 1
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 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
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.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2
Ephesians1:17-23
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
Matthew 28:19A, 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
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.”
