7th Sunday of Easter  - Ascension

        Sunday, 21 May, 2022
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Psalm #47    R: God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet  

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 

Gospel Acclamation Verse: (Matt 28:19,20) Go make disciples of all nations; I am with you always,
                                                                     to the end of the age. Alleluia 

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

Theme:  Ascension of the Lord

Commentary:   A directive and a promise.  By Jane Prini
We are in the second last week of the Easter season. Today we celebrate Jesus ascending, returning, or going up, body and soul, into heaven where He has authority over both heaven and earth. This has to be my favourite Sunday scripture. 

Today we hear Jesus give the disciples a clear directive, a clear mission. As they gather in Galilee, He says to “Go make disciples, blessing them… teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19) Showing His great care and love for us, Jesus adds, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20)

We are to see ourselves standing with the disciples, hearing Jesus directing us too. He wants us to share what we know about Him with everyone. We do this with words, when we tell our story of how Jesus is our saviour and our friend. We do this with our actions, when we are kind, patient and giving to those in need. Jesus does not want us to keep this good news (this Gospel) for ourselves. He tells us He will always be with us, and we know that when Jesus makes a promise He always keeps it. When we tell our story to others, Jesus’ Holy Spirit will be right there with us.

In Luke’s telling of the Ascension, he mentions that once the disciples could no longer see Jesus, they ‘worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple blessing God’ (Luke 24:52-53)  In today’s second reading from the book of Acts, also written by Luke, the disciples are to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father.(Acts1:4) Remember from last week that this promise is the sending of the Spirit of Truth, what we know as Pentecost. That is next Sunday.

Can you imagine how the disciples of Jesus felt when they heard what Jesus asked of them? The world is a big place, they had a lot of work to do to reach everyone. Isn’t it amazing that nearly 2000 years later we are still hearing about Jesus, starting from these 11?  This is because the disciples trusted Jesus would be with them, and they told everyone that would listen, all that Jesus had taught them. These people told still more people and so on, down through the ages. They all shared the Good News that God loves us. They blessed and taught others to do the same. This is how the Good News has reached you and me centuries later.

Jesus promised to send us His Spirit. Today, we receive this gift in a very special way through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, and in a special way at Confession. Some people choose to share the Gospel (the Good News) by standing in busy places and using a mic to make people listen. Some choose to walk around using a sandwich board with words like “John 3:16” written on it. They sure get people’s attention, but this doesn’t suit everyone. Most of us share His love with the world around us in a much more ordinary way. We take opportunities for Holy Moments, usually one person at a time, using everyday words and actions with the people we meet at school, in shops, on the bus, or at home. May you trust God will always be with you as you share Jesus with others, teaching them and inviting them to also have a relationship with Jesus.

Prayer for Families: Dear Father, help us to obey the command that Jesus gave us to go and make disciples. May we truly know with joy, His promise to stay with us until the end of time. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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