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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Acts 1:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9
Reading 2: Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13 or Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13
Gospel: Mark 16:15-20

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051621-Ascension.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Live a life worthy of the calling that you have received (Ephesians 4:1).

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word! Our reflection for this weekend will be on the Ascension readings as is typically celebrated in the United States on the Sunday following Ascension.

So, what is the Ascension? Well, it’s not a bon voyage party for Jesus. As the angels told the disciples, we can’t live with our heads stuck in the clouds (Acts 1:11). Nor should we sit around and do a lot of navel-gazing! Being a Christian is an invitation into a relationship with God – with the Trinity – through Jesus Christ.

The Ascension should remind us that what sits at the right hand of God is a human being just like you and just like me in every way except sin. Try to absorb that for a minute. St. Irenaeus wrote that “the glory of God is a human being fully alive.”

That’s the point of the Incarnation, don’t you think? That what unites us with God is our humanity. All too often, I hear people suggest that it’s our humanity that gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus. “I’m only human” is the lament. But consider this: “Any form of spirituality that belittles humanity, that de-emphasizes the goodness and dignity of the human person, must be regarded by Christians as an obstacle to genuine union with God.” <1>

So, how do we as a people of God move beyond the challenges we face in society – like advertising that insists we’re not good enough unless with have this product or that elective medical procedure, all of which can be yours for a few easy payments?

Well, thankfully, we’re not alone! St. Paul tells us in our second reading, and I’m citing the second option taken from Ephesians 4:1-13, that Jesus gave us the church to help us on our journey. And Jesus infused the church with the sacraments to nurture and sustain us. But wait! There’s more! Jesus gave each of us different roles to help the church – to help the people of God – make their way on this great pilgrimage that we’re all taking. Paul writes, “And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

First, who are the holy ones? All of us! Who are apostles? We see our bishops as living apostles. Of course, pastors are our priests. Prophets, evangelists, and teachers can be any of us – clergy, consecrated religious, or lay people – who minister in the church for the sake of the people.

What a blessing for all of us when people step forward and accept one of these roles! We can live a life worthy of our calling when we embrace our role in the community (Ephesians 4:1). What does it take to accept one of these roles? Well, it takes an open heart and a willingness to serve. But I think it also takes the exercise of the cardinal virtue of fortitude. Fortitude is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is a cardinal virtue, meaning other virtues link to fortitude. This virtue gives us the ability to be strong and face obstacles to live out our faith. Fortitude empowers us to accept the different ways we are called to serve at different points in our lives. The great example Pope Benedict gave us is that the way God calls us today may be different than the way God calls us tomorrow.

Take catechists, for example. Catechists are teachers and evangelists who play a vital role in handing on the faith. While that certainly includes “formal” catechists who teach Sunday school. But I’m also speaking about parents who are the first teachers – the first catechists of our children. But they’re not alone! Grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, and confirmation sponsors – even close family friends – all play a role in teaching our children and handing on the faith.

Remember our discussion on the world day for vocations a couple of weeks ago? Where do the clergy and consecrated religious come from? The clergy (bishops, priests, and deacons) and the consecrated religious (brothers and sisters; monks and nuns) come from families. And that’s only possible when we do our part to pass on the light of faith to our children.

Now, I have some good news! You do not have to be an expert to be a catechist. If you hear someone say that they are an expert – well – warning bells and sirens should go off! Warning! Warning! Danger, Will Robinson! In the faith life, we are all pilgrims on the path. Some might be further along than others, but we share many things in common on our pilgrimage.

I suggest to you that one of the best ways to grow in discipleship – to experience the fullness of humanity and thus be closer to God – is to readily accept one of these roles or any volunteer opportunity at your parish. Any volunteer opportunity in the church can bring us closer to God.

They say being a teacher is the best way to learn a subject. So, catechists and evangelists have the opportunity to explore their faith more deliberately. And through that process, they have the opportunity to grow in their faith. Who better to hand on the faith than people growing in their faith.

Homework! Nourished by Christ Ascended in the Word and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, “The glory of God is humanity fully alive.” What does this mean? When are you fully alive?
Second, what are some ways you can grow in your faith so that you can be a better catechist and a better evangelist to our children, our grandchildren, our nieces and nephews, our friends, and our parish community?

The Ascension inspires us to be more human by growing in our discipleship and maybe by accepting a role in the church’s ministry. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Artist unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Himes, Chapter 3: Incarnation, Kindle.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
2. Himes, Michael. The Mystery of Faith: An Introduction to Catholicism. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press. 2004. Kindle.
3. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
4. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.
5. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Spirit gives an understanding of faith: 94
2. Accompanying signs: 156, 434
3. Faith seeking understanding: 158
4. One faith: 172-75
5. Appearances of the risen Jesus: 641-44
6. The apostles’ commission: 2, 642
7. “All that Jesus did and taught:” 512
8. Christ’s ascension: 659-72, 697, 792, 965, 2795
9. Christ at the right hand of the Father: 663-64
10. As Lord of history and the cosmos: 668
11. As head of the Church: 669
12. The coming of the kingdom: 672-73
13. The promise of the Holy Spirit: 729
14. The Church’s mission: 767, 849-56
15. Charisms: 768, 791, 798-801, 910, 2003
16. The Church as the body of Christ: 790, 795
17. Church as the body of Christ: 792-95
18. The Church is one: 813-22
19. The Church founded on the apostles: 857-60
20. Laity share in Christ’s prophetic and kingly offices: 904-13
21. Baptism as foundation of communion among Christians: 1271
22. Outpouring of the Spirit: 1287
23. Apostles and pastors: 1575
24. Hope: 1817-21
25. Gift of wisdom: 1831
26. Miracles and tongues: 2003
27. Intercession: 2632
28. Thanksgiving: 2638

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051621-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

Ephesians 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.

OR:

Ephesians 4:1-13

Brothers and sisters,

I, a prisoner for the Lord,

urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,

with all humility and gentleness, with patience,

bearing with one another through love,

striving to preserve the unity of the spirit

through the bond of peace:

one body and one Spirit,

as you were also called to the one hope of your call;

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

one God and Father of all,

who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us

according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Therefore, it says:

    He ascended on high and took prisoners captive;

    he gave gifts to men.

What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended

into the lower regions of the earth?

The one who descended is also the one who ascended

far above all the heavens,

that he might fill all things.

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets,

others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,

to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,

for building up the body of Christ,

until we all attain to the unity of faith

and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature to manhood,

to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

OR:

Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters,

I, a prisoner for the Lord,

urge you to live in a manner worthy of the calling

you have received,

with all humility and gentleness, with patience,

bearing with one another through love,

striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit

through the bond of peace:

one body and one Spirit,

as you were also called to the one hope of your calling;

one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

one God and Father of all,

who is over all and through all and in all.

But grace was given to each of us

according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets,

others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,

to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,

for building up the body of Christ,

until we all attain to the unity of faith

and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature to manhood,

to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

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

Mark 16:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Go into the whole world

and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;

whoever does not believe will be condemned.

These signs will accompany those who believe:

in my name they will drive out demons,

they will speak new languages.

They will pick up serpents with their hands,

and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.

They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,

was taken up into heaven

and took his seat at the right hand of God.

But they went forth and preached everywhere,

while the Lord worked with them

and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.