Today's Gospel Reading - Sunday, May 12, 2013 with Reflection

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

1^ST READING - Acts 1:1-11

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 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. 4 Whilemeeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”6 When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11They 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.”

P S A L M - Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

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

1 [2] All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness. 2 [3]For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. (R) 5 [6] God mounts his throne amidshouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 6 [7] Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. (R) 7 [8]For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 8 [9] God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.(R)   

2^nd  READING - Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 (or Ephesians 1:17-23)

24 Christ did not enter into a sanctuary made by hands, a copy of the true one, but heaven itself, that he might now appear before God on our behalf. 25 Not that he might offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters each year into the sanctuary with blood that is not his own;26 if that were so, he would have had to suffer repeatedly from the foundation of the world. But now once for all he has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 27 Just as it is appointed that men and women die once, and after this the judgment, 28 so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him. 10: 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since through the blood of Jesus we have confidence of entrance into the sanctuary 20 by the new and living way he opened for us through the veil, that is, his flesh, 21 and since we have “a great priest over the house of God,” 22 let us approach with a sincere heart and in absolute trust, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope, for he who made the promise is trustworthy.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 24:46-53

46 Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. 51 As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. 52 They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple praising God.

SABBATH

BLESS US, O LORD

Do you often wonder what it must have been like on this day, the Ascension of the Lord? How must it have looked to the human eye to see Jesus ascending before you into the heavens? I often feel a bit sad when I reflect on it. I imagine being used to seeing Jesus around and then going before us. He is not around anymore. We have these experiences when loved ones leave us, and move to another place, or when they die. It is sad to see our loved ones go. But Jesus tells us we are not alone, as we have His presence in the sacraments, in His word, in the Church, and through the grace of the Holy Spirit.

       This year, we reflect on Luke’s account of the Ascension. In the FirstReading, Luke tells us of the conversation that goes on between them and Jesus. The conversation is short, explaining to them to wait for the promise of the Father. In his Gospel account, Jesus is lifted from their sight while blessing them. The blessing of Jesus remains. The last gesture, physically seen and received, is the same blessing He gives through the hands of His priests — He absolves, baptizes, feeds and anoints His people. As the disciples return with great joy after receiving the blessing from Jesus, so too are we filled with joy at the blessing of the Lord.

       Let us be conscious that when the priest blesses us, baptizes the infant, anoints the sick, and consecrates the bread and wine, it is really Jesus blessing, anointing and feeding His people. The same Jesus who ascended is the same One who remains in our midst through the ministry of the priest.Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: How do you receive a priest’s blessing?

Lord, we sing our praise to You. Give us Your blessing today and always.

Sts. Nereus and Achilleus, martyrs, pray for us.

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