Sharing of life: What are you most and least grateful for this week?
Now read the readings, pausing briefly after each one.
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.
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 MARK 16:15-20
In this gospel, the disciples are given the necessary means of salvation, belief in Jesus and baptism into the Christian community. Then they are commissioned "to proclaim the gospel to the whole world" so that all would have a chance to be saved. While many will hear the message, not all will open their hearts to it. Then Mark names signs that will accompany believers that they will be blessed with empowerment to continue the healing ministry of Jesus. Their teaching ministry will be accompanied by a healing ministry. While we do not need to literally believe that believers have the power to 'handle venomous snakes' and 'drink deadly poison', we do need to believe that believers possess a power beyond their own to cope with the hardships of life. For example, many people have been healed by the power of prayer, others have been delivered from the power of Satan, and still others have received the power of God to help then stop drinking and be freed from the painful memories of a difficult childhood. If ascension means being lifted up, then we need to believe in the healing power of God to lift us up when we are wounded and possessed by demons of one kind or another. The Ascension marks the end of Jesus' life on earth and the beginning of the mission of the church, which all of us participate in by means of our baptism.
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) The Ascension was a time of transition for the Apostles. Share a time of transition in your life that turned out to be a blessing.
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
Name one way you can act on today's readings. Suggestions: Pray for all graduates and people who are beginning a new chapter of their lives.
CONCLUDE WITH PRAYERS OF PETITION AND INTERCESSION
Pray for all who are graduating from school at this time. Pray for openness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.