Ascension Sunday (Español)
The commentary for this week is provided by Deacon Mark Silvia of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Diocese of San Diego. For an online view, visit: christ-ion.com
Prayer
Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us
rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for
the Ascension of Christ your Son is our
exaltation, and, where the Head has
gone before in glory, the Body is called
to follow in hope. Amen
Commentary
1st Reading: Acts 1:1-11
The sight of the Lord Jesus ascending into the cloud could
only have been described as awesome to behold. If we had
been there, I suppose we would have stood in silent awe as
well. The disciples may have remained awestruck and
staring into the sky for hours if the two angelic figures had
not interrupted this moment.
They said, “Men of Galilee,
why are you standing there looking at the sky?”
There is a
mission to begin and an urgency to begin it at once.
It may seem strange that the Mass ends so abruptly.
The Eucharistic celebration is awesome to behold for
those who believe that the consecrated bread and wine are
the Body and Blood of Jesus. After receiving Him, we
may want to remain together in awesome wonder. But, almost as soon as we receive the Eucharist, we are dismissed
from Mass and we are sent into the world on a mission.
The dismissal that best demonstrates this is “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.”
Question
Have you felt the awesome wonder?
2nd Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
St. Paul writes to the Church in
Ephesus; May the Spirit of our
Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten the
eyes of our heart, that we may see
how great is the hope to which we
are called.
St. Paul explains that the Great
Hope to which we are called is the
one who sits at the right of the Father. The one who is far
above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named. The Father has placed
all things beneath His feet. Christ sits as the head of
Church, which is his body.
Those who believe know the Great Hope that awaits us.
He is the one who created us, who loves and nurtures us,
who forgives and heals us, and who prepares a place for
us in His Father’s house. There is no greater love than
this or greater cause for our joy.
Questions
What does it mean to you that we have such a Great
Hope?
How were the eyes of your heart were enlightened to
see the Great Hope to which we are called?
Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
When the eleven disciples saw Him, they worshiped, but
they doubted. We may wonder why they would doubt
after all they had seen and heard in
Jesus’ presence. And yet, regardless
of any doubt they may have had,
Jesus commissioned this small
group to, “go 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.”
Just as at the moment of creation,
God again sent out his Word and it
quickly runs his command. The
Word spreads from a small group of
disciples to all the world. “Their
voice has gone out to the limits of
the earth, their words to the ends of
the world.”
If the canon of the bible had
continued to grow, it would contain all the stories of the
Church including all the popes and saints from the time
of this great commissioning to today. It would contain
the names of each and every person baptized in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
How could such a great Church have sprung from a
small group of doubters? Because, as He promised,
Jesus is with us, and will be with us, always, until the
end of the ages.
Question
Recalling the richness of the Church’s history, what
does it mean to you that Jesus will be with us, always,
until the end of the ages?
This Week's Task
Take time to read something about our Church history. A good on-line source is New Advent.
Prayer
The leader invites the group to pray the following words
together.
God our Father, the heavens proclaim
your glory. Day unto day takes up the
story, and night unto night makes known
the message. Your Word extends through
all the earth, to the utmost bounds of the
world.
We praise and thank you for the gift of
your Son who promises to be with us
always until the end of the ages. In your
great love and mercy, guide us always
and protect our ways. Keep us free from
sin and error. Make us messengers of the
Great Hope to which we are called. Amen.
Psalm
Response: God mounts his
throne to shouts of joy: a blare of
trumpets for the Lord.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the
glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise.
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of
trumpets for the Lord.
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.
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.
Conclude with an Our Father
For a PDF of this commentary, visit Christ in Our Neighborhood website.
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