The Ascension of the Lord

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. The assigned readings are Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:17-23, and Mark 16:15-20. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 47 (Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9).

Today’s Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages.T hey will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.T hey will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Reflections on these readings and on this celebration:

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for May 14, 2015: Ascension Thursday (13 MAY 15)

The Happy Priest: The Feast of the Ascension is Not an Intermission (9 MAY 13)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary: Leo the Great