The Ascension of the Lord - Year A
May 28, 2017
Gospel: Mt 28:16-20
The eleven disciples (1) 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 (2) all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age (3)."
http://www.usccb.org
The difficult words
(1)There are only eleven
disciples at this time, because Judas was no longer with them, and they had not
yet chosen his replacement.
(2)To observe means to obey.
(3)The end of the age means the
end of history, for ever.
This week’s spotlight
The Ascension
Jesus taught us to pray saying, "Our Father, who art in
heaven.''Today's feast celebrates the return of Jesus to his Father. We do not
really know where heaven is, but we know that Jesus is there in body and soul.
This doesn't mean that he lives in the clouds or in space, but that he does not
live on earth as we do. We no longer see Jesus with our physical eyes; we see
and know him by faith. He is with us always through his Spirit and he is
preparing a place for us near the Father. This Ascension reminds us that we are
called to join Jesus, body and soul, in heaven.
“I am with you always”
As Jesus ascended to his Father, he told his Apostles. "I am with
you always." He truly leaves, in that he no longer walks the earth as we
do, but he is with us too. Jesus is among us when we gather to celebrate the Mass and the other
sacraments. In a special way, he is present in the Holy Eucharist, his Body and
Blood. He is also present in his word, in his Priests, and in each of us by
grace. He is also present wherever there is love, forgiveness, and true peace.
Reflection
Let’s all be his messengers!
On Easter morning, the Good News of the Resurrection
of Jesus was spread among the Apostles. Jesus appeared to them several times
during the forty days after his Resurrection. He taught them, shared their
meals, and proved to them that he is alive...for ever! On the day of the
Ascension, he leaves to return to his Father. Before leaving, he puts the
Apostles in charge of a great mission—to go and proclaim the Good News to
everyone, to baptize them, and encourage them in the faith by performing the
signs that he himself performed. What a mission! Fortunately, the Lord works
and acts with them. Have you ever thought how it is that you have come to know
Jesus? It is because the Apostles and their successors have continued this
mission throughout the centuries up to this very day. Today, Jesus works with
us when we announce the Good News; he is with you, even if you can’t see him.
Discussion questions
1.Where do the disciples meet with Jesus?
2.What does Jesus tell his followers to go out and do?
3.How does Jesus help his friends understand that he will always be with
them?
After
receiving Holy Communion,
you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you
have not yet
received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to
receive Jesus.
Father, through Jesus, in
communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. As
we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus, we rejoice that he has opened the way that
we all hope to follow. May this Communion in his Body and Blood help us to
remember that he is with us always.
This week…
Discover the communion of the saints
This week, make a list of your
favorite saints. Write down some of the ways in which each of them has
continued the mission entrusted to them by Jesus.
Discover current witnesses
On a second piece of paper make another list of the witnesses of the
faith that you know today; for example, your parents, your godfather and
godmother, your catechism teachers...
Maze Puzzle
Source: usccb.org
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