GOD GOES UP WITH SHOUTS OF JOY - THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST

THURSDAY WEEK SIX OF EASTER: 

WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS LIFTED UP  

THEN YOU WILL KNOW THAT I AM HE

First Read Acts 1:1-11 Jesus was lifted up while they looked on

In my earlier work, Theophilus, I dealt with everything Jesus had done and taught from the beginning until the day he gave his instructions to the apostles he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. He had shown himself alive to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. When he had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised. ‘It is’ he had said ‘what you have heard me speak about: John baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ Readings Lectures Reflections

Now having met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, has the time come? Are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know times or dates that the Father has decided by his own authority, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’

As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’

Responsorial Psalm: God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast

Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23 God made him sit at his right hand in heaven

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and perception of what is revealed, to bring you to full knowledge of him. May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. 

This you can tell from the strength of his power at work in Christ, when he used it to raise him from the dead and to make him sit at his right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination, or any other name that can be named not only in this age but also in the age to come. He has put all things under his feet and made him, as the ruler of everything, the head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole creation.

Gospel  Luke 24:46-53 

He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven

Jesus said to his disciples: 

‘You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this. 

‘And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.’ 

Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.

My God I thank you for today. I worship you. I praise your Most Holy Name in songs of adoration and thanksgiving. It is Ascention Thursday. Your Son Jesus Christ was taken up to heaven. The Angels rejoiced for Christ rose. He is Lord of lords. He is the Prince of Peace. He conquered death. He reconciled us back to you loving Father.  He is our Brother, we are your children. Father may Your Holy Name be glorified through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Father, God of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are the King of glory. Give me a spirit of wisdom and perception. Father  bring me to full knowledge of You and your Son Jesus Christ. Enlighten the eyes of my mind so that I can see what hope your call holds for me. The rich glories you have promised the saints, and the Spirit to know the great power that you Father has exercised for us believers. 

Christ rose from the dead, He is at your right hand, in heaven, far above every Sovereignty, Authority, Power, or Domination. Father there is no other name that can be named in this age nor in the age to come. You put all things under His feet and made Christ the ruler of everything. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. The Church is the body of Christ that fills all creation. Come Holy Spirit the promise of Christ. Come dwell in me.

Lord Jesus Christ I trust in you. Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God's Holy Angels and Saints pray for me. My Angel Guardian pray for me. Protect me, guide and guard me.

Pray the Holy Rosary. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of  our risen Lord pray for us. Ave Maria.

Your Birthday Saint: Saint Philip Neri, Priest. May he pray for you as you celebrate your birthday. Happy Feast of Ascension of our Lord and Saviour.