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. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They 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:

Crossroads Initiative: Ascension of Christ & the New Evangelization

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Ascension of the Lord (May 10 and/or 13, 2018)

Catholic World Report: The Dispatch: The Ascension and the Christian's mission today (25 MAY 2017)

Word on Fire: At the Right Hand of the Father (Solemnities * Ascension)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary: Leo the Great