Tag: disciple

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Father’s Day 2020

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Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass Readings

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13
Responsorial: Psalm 69
Second Reading: Romans 5:12-15
Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062120.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Father’s Day! Today is not Father’s Day all over the world, so the readings we have today were not curated for this occasion. Nonetheless, the readings Holy Mother Church gives us which guide our discipleship are an excellent reflection about Christian fatherhood.

Secular culture tries to tell us that the role of dads is irrelevant. We see this in shows that depict the dad – if there’s even one on the show – as a clumsy goof. We also see this in extremist feminism and gender-neutral activism. Add the word “Christian” in front of “dad” and the attack on fatherhood becomes even stronger. Christian fathers are considered to be a dying breed, superstitious guardians of a gloom-and-doom mythology. Nothing can be further from the truth.

That’s probably how Jeremiah felt on the eve the Babylonian captivity. His nickname was “terror on every side”, kind of like “Johnny raincloud” today, (Jer 20:10). Indeed, our psalmist talks about bearing insults for God, (Ps 69:8). Even Jesus in today’s Gospel warns that the path of the disciple can lead to death, (Mt 10:28)! And let’s not forget our second reading from Romans where Paul introduces the idea of Original Sin that enters the world thanks to Adam’s temptation, the father of us all, (Rom 5:12)!

Whew! What a collection of messages, right? We hear a message that we will suffer when we choose grace over sin – when we choose goodness over evil. If we stop here, we’d leave discouraged and maybe a little depressed. What the heck are we getting ourselves into?

But here’s the rest of the story.

Matthew’s Gospel account tells us to hang in there! “Fear no one,” we hear in the Gospel, (Mt 10:26). Jesus tells us, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father,” (Mt 10:32).

All disciples have this message to live a life of grace – to choose the good over the temptation of the sin. But fathers have a special role in acknowledging Jesus before others. Let’s call this Christian leadership. And the example of how we live our lives can be a more powerful form of evangelization than anything we could say to our spouses, our children and to everyone we encounter. Despite what some in our culture suggest, people look to their fathers or father-figures as an example.

What dads do can be more impactful than what we say. So, even if dads lack the vocabulary to share Jesus with others, authentically Christian fathers need to show their families what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Dads demonstrate Christian leadership when they bring their families to church. Dads demonstrate Christian leadership when they lead their families in prayer before meals – even in restaurants. Dads demonstrate Christian leadership when they make time to pray at home before they leave for work and before they go to bed.

But there are other ways that dads demonstrate Christian leadership, like actively participating in the political process – voting, writing elected officials, peacefully protesting injustice. Christian leaders aren’t political tribesman, but rather are follow the path of Christ Jesus. Sometimes that path might veer right, and sometimes it might veer left. What God asks is that we build a just society – a society that promotes the common good.

Dads who advocate for human dignity, for justice, and for the common good bear witness to Christ Jesus. These dads walk the path of the discipleship and are an example to their families and friends. Dads who walk in the light acknowledge Jesus by their actions, and as Jesus tells us in the Gospel today, He will acknowledge them to His Father. That is so reassuring when we think about the dads in our lives – those living and those who’ve graduated to fulness with the Father. Happy Fathers Day!

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. How and why do I hide my true self from others? What secret parts of my life do I need to bring to God for healing?
  2. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light. How have I shared my faith in recent weeks? How does my ways of living reflect what I believe?
  3. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. How do my interactions with others in person and on social media reflect their dignity and worth? What people or groups in my community are not treated as valued children of God?

I think doing our homework will help us exercise the discipleship of Christian fatherhood. 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. JPEG file.

References:
1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
2. Hahn, Scott W. and Curtis Mitch. Romans. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academics, 2017.
3. Marchionda, James, OP. “Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time.” Know Before You Go. 19 June 2020. Accessed 20 June 2020. https://www.opcentral.org/node/3103.
4. Mitch, Curtis and Edward Sri. The Gospel of Matthew. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2010.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Adam, Original Sin, Christ the New Adam, 359, 402-11, 615
2. The Spirit of Christ sustains the Christian mission, 852
3. Evangelizing by the Example of Life, 905
4. 1808, 1816, courageous witness of faith overcomes fear and death
5. 2471-74, bear witness to the truth

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062120.cfm
Lectionary: 94

Reading 1
Jeremiah 20:10-13
Jeremiah said:
“I hear the whisperings of many:
‘Terror on every side!
Denounce! let us denounce him!’
All those who were my friends
are on the watch for any misstep of mine.
‘Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,
and take our vengeance on him.’
But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.
In their failure they will be put to utter shame,
to lasting, unforgettable confusion.
O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
who probe mind and heart,
let me witness the vengeance you take on them,
for to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to the LORD,
praise the LORD,
for he has rescued the life of the poor
from the power of the wicked!”

Responsorial
Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s children,
Because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness;
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
the seas and whatever moves in them!’‘
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Reading 2
Romans 5:12-15
Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned—
for up to the time of the law, sin was in the world,
though sin is not accounted when there is no law.
But death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who did not sin
after the pattern of the trespass of Adam,
who is the type of the one who was to come.

But the gift is not like the transgression.
For if by the transgression of the one the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.

Alleluia
John 15:26B, 27A
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord;
and you also will testify.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 10:26-33
Jesus said to the Twelve:
“Fear no one.
Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed,
nor secret that will not be known.
What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light;
what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul;
rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
both soul and body in Gehenna.
Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin?
Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.
But whoever denies me before others,
I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

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One Bread One Body

A shadow image of person against a sunlit background with the words now you are the body of christ and each one of you is a part of it on the body

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Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ Mass Readings

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A
Responsorial: Psalm 147: 12-15, 19-20
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Gospel: John 6:51-58

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061420.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Today we celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist. We have this incredible gift in the Eucharist which we can receive every single day, so, today we pause to focus on the Eucharist. Just like with anniversaries and birthdays, I think it’s important to step back at least once a year and celebrate the gift of the Eucharist lest we take it for granted.

Now it’s very easy to get lost in an interesting theological or philosophical discussion about the Eucharist. But while I think there’s a time and a place for that, our purpose is to try to understand how the Gospel message applies to us here and now – to do as the Second Vatican Council teaches us – to read the signs of the times.

First, what do we know about the Eucharist? It’s wildly important to Christians. The Eucharist is, as the Catechism reminds us, the “source and summit of Christian life,” (CCC, 1324) Why? Because for Catholics as well as some other Christians, the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus. How do we know that? Because Jesus tells us so in today’s Gospel passage from John. This passage where Jesus describes eating his flesh and drinking his blood connects to the Last Supper described in the other Gospel accounts.

But if we believe – I mean if we really believe that what we receive in the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus, then it should change you. It should change me. How?

Well, St. Paul gives us a bit of clue in our second reading from First Corinthians. Paul tells us, “The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. (1 Cor 10:16-17).

When we participate in the Eucharist, we become the one body of Christ.

That’s mind-blowing! We become one. But it is also a sobering idea, especially in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in the U.S. Why is it sobering? Because through our faith in Christ Jesus and the precious gift of the Eucharist, we are united through Jesus to the Father forever. We are united with people of color, with Hispanics, with criminals, with illegal aliens, we are all united through Jesus with the Father.

You see, through the Church’s mission of evangelization, and by “church” I mean you and me and all believers, we are called to bring the message of salvation to everyone so that they might have all their hurts and sins reconciled, just like you and just like me. Through Jesus, there is no “black” or “white” or “brown” or English or Spanish or borders or democrats or republicans or gay or straight or whatever it is that separates and divides us. All disciples of Jesus are united as one body in Christ. When I stop to think about that, it makes all the labels I’ve been taught since I was a child seem silly.

Where do we go from here? I don’t know. But what I can tell you is that as a people of faith, we are called to advocate for the common good. We should actively work through our participation in the electoral process to help bring about a just society where the dignity of the human person created in the image and likeness of God is recognized in all humans – recognized and respected. Working through the electoral process doesn’t just mean voting. We should get to know our elected officials. We should write letters, send emails, make phone calls, etc. Advocating for the common good is every believer’s responsibility.

We are a eucharistic people and that has consequences, not only in how I live my life, but also how I relate to those around me and how I participate in civic life. The Eucharist reminds us that black lives matter – that all lives matter – because we are all united into the one body of Christ to the Father. This is not just an idea, but a core aspect of our faith. The horror of George Floyd’s murder and the outrage that has spilled into our streets is a sad reminder that Christians have a lot of work to do.

Homework! Nourished by Christ present in the Word of God and in the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. How can I give of myself more freely and more generously? How can I be more responsive to the needs of those who live far from me?
  2. Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. What religious practices strengthen my faith? What religious practices strengthen my resolve to follow God’s will for me?
  3. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. When do I feel closest to God? When do I feel most distant?

I think doing our homework will help us experience true discipleship. Do you get it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPEG file.

References:
1. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
2. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
3. Montague, George T., SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
4. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. The Holy Eucharist, 790, 1003, 1322-1419
2. The Eucharist and the communion of believers, 805, 950, 2181-2182, 2637, 2845
3. Real presence in the Eucharist, 1088, 1377-81
4. The Eucharist as spiritual food, 1212, 1275, 1436, 2837
5. Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life”, 1324
6. Signs and institution of the Eucharist, 1333-40
7. The Eucharist as sacrificial memorial of Christ’s presence, 1362-78
8. Fruits of Holy Communion, 1391-98
9. The Eucharist makes the Church one body, 1396

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Mass Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061420.cfm
Lectionary: 167

First Reading
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A
Moses said to the people:
“Remember how for forty years now the LORD, your God,
has directed all your journeying in the desert,
so as to test you by affliction
and find out whether or not it was your intention
to keep his commandments.
He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger,
and then fed you with manna,
a food unknown to you and your fathers,
in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD.

“Do not forget the LORD, your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
that place of slavery;
who guided you through the vast and terrible desert
with its saraph serpents and scorpions,
its parched and waterless ground;
who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock
and fed you in the desert with manna,
a food unknown to your fathers.”

Responsorial
Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R. (12) Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has granted peace in your borders;
with the best of wheat he fills you.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Brothers and sisters:
The cup of blessing that we bless,
is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?
The bread that we break,
is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
Because the loaf of bread is one,
we, though many, are one body,
for we all partake of the one loaf.

Sequence
Lauda Sion

Laud, O Zion, your salvation,
Laud with hymns of exultation,
Christ, your king and shepherd true:

Bring him all the praise you know,
He is more than you bestow.
Never can you reach his due.

Special theme for glad thanksgiving
Is the quick’ning and the living
Bread today before you set:

From his hands of old partaken,
As we know, by faith unshaken,
Where the Twelve at supper met.

Full and clear ring out your chanting,
Joy nor sweetest grace be wanting,
From your heart let praises burst:

For today the feast is holden,
When the institution olden
Of that supper was rehearsed.

Here the new law’s new oblation,
By the new king’s revelation,
Ends the form of ancient rite:

Now the new the old effaces,
Truth away the shadow chases,
Light dispels the gloom of night.

What he did at supper seated,
Christ ordained to be repeated,
His memorial ne’er to cease:

And his rule for guidance taking,
Bread and wine we hallow, making
Thus our sacrifice of peace.

This the truth each Christian learns,
Bread into his flesh he turns,
To his precious blood the wine:

Sight has fail’d, nor thought conceives,
But a dauntless faith believes,
Resting on a pow’r divine.

Here beneath these signs are hidden
Priceless things to sense forbidden;
Signs, not things are all we see:

Blood is poured and flesh is broken,
Yet in either wondrous token
Christ entire we know to be.

Whoso of this food partakes,
Does not rend the Lord nor breaks;
Christ is whole to all that taste:

Thousands are, as one, receivers,
One, as thousands of believers,
Eats of him who cannot waste.

Bad and good the feast are sharing,
Of what divers dooms preparing,
Endless death, or endless life.

Life to these, to those damnation,
See how like participation
Is with unlike issues rife.

When the sacrament is broken,
Doubt not, but believe ‘tis spoken,
That each sever’d outward token
doth the very whole contain.

Nought the precious gift divides,
Breaking but the sign betides
Jesus still the same abides,
still unbroken does remain.

The shorter form of the sequence begins here.

Lo! the angel’s food is given
To the pilgrim who has striven;
see the children’s bread from heaven,
which on dogs may not be spent.

Truth the ancient types fulfilling,
Isaac bound, a victim willing,
Paschal lamb, its lifeblood spilling,
manna to the fathers sent.

Very bread, good shepherd, tend us,
Jesu, of your love befriend us,
You refresh us, you defend us,
Your eternal goodness send us
In the land of life to see.

You who all things can and know,
Who on earth such food bestow,
Grant us with your saints, though lowest,
Where the heav’nly feast you show,
Fellow heirs and guests to be. Amen. Alleluia.

Alleluia
John 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 6:51-58
Jesus said to the Jewish crowds:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;
whoever eats this bread will live forever;
and the bread that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world.”

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

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The Ascension 2020

Person in dark room looking into bright light

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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.

  1. When they saw him, they worshipped, but that doubted. What distracts me from prayer and worship? How do I deal with distractions and doubts?
  2. 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?
  3. 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.”