Jesus’ Ascension and His Promise to Return

Greetings on this the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 ; Eph 1:17-23; Mk 16:15-20

Summary

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up (Ascension). [And before that] 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 (the Passion, Death and Resurrection).

Reflection

Jesus returned to the Father and yet never left us. 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.

Personal Reflection

Why do infants cry? Beside the physical needs I mean. When infants cry you check the diaper, look for any irritants, question yourself on when the last time the baby ate or drank. But there is another crying. It is sometimes referred to as separation anxiety. But it is more nuanced than that. In fact, infants want to communicate with their mother and others immediately upon birth and continuously throughout their growth. If absence is long enough the baby will cry. Babies eventually learn that not being able to see someone is not the same as not having someone.

Be at peace.

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.

First Reading

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

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Second Reading

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.

Gospel Acclamation

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

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.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

AI Info

I used AI to generate the title and the featured image. Interesting.