THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD, CYCLE A

Opening prayer. God our Father, make us joyful in the Ascension of your Son, Jesus Christ. May we follow him into the new creation, for his Ascension is our glory and our hope. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this week?

Facilitator reads focus statement: The first reading describes the Ascension of Jesus and his promise of the Holy Spirit. In the second reading, Paul describes the meaning of the Ascension, how God raised Jesus above all earthly powers and made him Head of the Church and Lord of creation. The gospel is the Great Commission – Jesus sending his Apostles to preach the Good News to the whole world.

If you have not read the commentary prior to the meeting, consider reading it either before of after you read each reading.

FIRST READING: Acts 1:1-11

In Kings 2:4-15 the prophet Elijah told his disciple Elisha that he would receive a double portion of the Holy Spirit if he saw Elijah being taken up into heaven. It came to pass; Elisha witnessed the flaming chariot take up Elijah into heaven in a whirlwind. Thus Elisha received the spirit of Elijah and proceeded on to Jericho to continue his mission.

In Acts 1:9 the disciples saw Jesus being taken up into the clouds only to return to them in the Spirit in chapter two. They were to carry on the mission of Jesus just as Elisha continued the ministry of Elijah.

This reading shows us that the Ascension of Jesus marks the end of his journey on earth and signals the beginning of a new era. The mission of the Church begins under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM 47

This is a prayer of praise and creation for a liturgical celebration celebrating the enthronement of God.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 1:17-23

This is an excerpt from a prayer of thanksgiving. Paul begins by praying that all believers in Jesus will be blessed by wisdom and revelation of his ways. Then Paul prays that believers may be enlightened about three things: hope which is rooted in the possession of the Holy Spirit; the inheritance of God’s life ("glory") as definitely assured; the tremendous power of God’s abiding in believers. Just as God marvelously raised Jesus from death to life in the resurrection, so too will Christians experience radical change in their own lives. What happened to Jesus will happen to those who believe in him.

GOSPEL MATTHEW 28:16-20

The Gospel reading from Matthew, known in the tradition as "the Great Commission", shows Jesus sending his followers out to preach and baptize in the name of the Trinity. The scope of their mission is universal. They are sent to "all nations", not only to Israel. At the opening of the passage, Jesus appears as Lord of the universe. The very sight of him dispels the last lingering doubts of his followers. He speaks in regal fashion, with a word of command. Yet his promise to remain with them always affirms the intimacy of the disciples with their Lord. On a mountaintop, with all the world and the ages before them, the last words of Jesus recall the promise made at his birth (Matthew 1:23):"… they shall call him Emmanuel, a name which means ‘God is with us.’" (Foundations in Faith, Cycle A)

FAITH SHARING QUESTIONS

1) What verse spoke to you and why?

2) After the Ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit. What new or fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit do you desire at this time for your parish and for yourself?

3) Jesus’ last message to his disciples was a commission to evangelize every creature. To what extent is your parish faithful to this Great Commission? How faithful are you? How can both you and your parish carry out more faithfully this commission of Jesus?

4) What is some evidence from the past or today that Jesus has been faithful to his promise to be with his church always?

5) The Ascension was a time of transition for the Apostles. What has been one of the biggest transitions you have had to go through? What helped you to negotiate the transition?

RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Name one way you can act on today’s readings. Suggestions: This week be on the look out for someone who has fallen down and try and lift them up. Lift up prayers of praise to our God.

CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION