Date: May 25, 2017
First Reading (Acts 1: 1–11)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
In the first part of my work, Theophilus, I wrote of all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he ascended to heaven. But first he had instructed through the Holy Spirit the apostles he had chosen. After his passion, he presented himself to them, giving many signs that he was alive; over a period of forty days he appeared to them and taught them concerning the kingdom of God. Once when he had been eating with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the fulfillment of the Father's promise about which I have spoken to you: John baptized with water, but will be baptized with the Holy Spirit within a few days." When they had come together, they asked him, "Is it now that you will restore the Kingdom of Israel?" And he answered, "It is not for you to know the time and the steps which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the earth." After Jesus stated this, he was taken up before their eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. While they were still looking up to heaven where he went, suddenly, two men dressed in white stood beside them and stated, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way as you have seen him go there."
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
In the first part of my work, Theophilus, I wrote of all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he ascended to heaven. But first he had instructed through the Holy Spirit the apostles he had chosen. After his passion, he presented himself to them, giving many signs that he was alive; over a period of forty days he appeared to them and taught them concerning the kingdom of God. Once when he had been eating with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the fulfillment of the Father's promise about which I have spoken to you: John baptized with water, but will be baptized with the Holy Spirit within a few days." When they had come together, they asked him, "Is it now that you will restore the Kingdom of Israel?" And he answered, "It is not for you to know the time and the steps which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the earth." After Jesus stated this, he was taken up before their eyes and a cloud hid him from their sight. While they were still looking up to heaven where he went, suddenly, two men dressed in white stood beside them and stated, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way as you have seen him go there."
Second Reading (Ephesians 1: 17–23)
A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians.Brothers and sisters: May the God of Christ Jesus our Lord, the Father of Glory, reveal himself to you and give you a spirit of wisdom, that you may know him. May he enlighten your inner vision, that you may appreciate the things we hope for, since we were called by God. May you know how great is the inheritance, the glory, God sets apart for his saints; may you understand with what extraordinary power he acts in favor of us who believe. He revealed his almighty power in Christ when he raised him from the dead and had him sit at his right hand in heaven, far above all rule, power, authority, dominion, or any other supernatural force that could be named, not only in this world but in the world to come as well. Thus has God put all things under the feet of Christ and set him above all things, as head of the Church which is his body. He who fills all in all unfolds his fullness in the Church.
Gospel (Matthew 28: 16–20)
As for the Eleven disciples, they went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Jesus, they bowed before him, although some doubted. Then Jesus approached them and stated, "I have given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations. Baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to fulfill all that I have commanded you. I am with you always until the end of this world."
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 47) (Verses 2–3 and 6–9)
ReplyDeleteThe response is: God mounts His throne to shouts of joy; a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Clap your hands, all you peoples; acclaim God with shouts of joy. For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared; he is a great king all over the earth.
God ascends amid joyful shouts, the Lord amid trumpet blasts. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
God is king of all the earth; sing to him a hymn of praise. For God now rules over the nations, God reigns from his holy throne.
This responsorial psalm is taken from the Catholic Pastoral Edition Bible.
DeleteNote that the Ascension of the Lord always occur on Thursday after the 6th Sunday of Easter and before the 7th Sunday of Easter.
ReplyDeleteAlleluia, alleluia.
DeleteGo and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Primera Lectura (Hechos de los Apóstoles 1: 1–11)
ReplyDeleteUna lectura de los Hechos de los Apóstoles.
En mi primer Libro, querido Teófilo, me referí a todo lo que hizo y enseñó Jesús, desde el comienzo, hasta el día en que subió al cielo, después de haber dado, por medio del Espíritu Santo, sus últimas instrucciones a los Apóstoles que había elegido. Después de su Pasión, Jesús se manifestó a ellos dándoles numerosas pruebas de que vivía, y durante cuarenta días se le apareció y les habló del Reino de Dios. En una ocasión, mientras estaba comiendo con ellos, les recomendó que no se alejaran de Jerusalén y esperaran la promesa del Padre: “La promesa, les dijo, que yo les he anunciado. Porque Juan bautizó con agua, pero ustedes serán bautizados en el Espíritu Santo, dentro de pocos días.” Los que estaban reunidos le preguntaron: “Señor, ¿es ahora cuando vas a restaurar el reino de Israel?” Él les respondió: “No les corresponde a ustedes conocer el tiempo y el momento que el Padre ha establecido con su propia autoridad. Pero recibirán la fuerza del Espíritu Santo que descenderá sobre ustedes, y serán mis testigos en Jerusalén, en toda Judea y Samaria, y hasta los confines de la tierra.” Dicho esto, los Apóstoles lo vieron elevarse, y una nube lo ocultó de la vista de ellos. Como permanecían con la mirada puesta en el cielo mientras Jesús subía, se les aparecieron dos hombres vestidos de blanco, que les dijeron: “Hombres de Galilea, ¿por qué siguen mirando al cielo? Este Jesús que les ha sido quitado y fue elevado al cielo, vendrá de la misma manera que lo han visto partir.”
Salmo responsorial (Salmo 47) (Versículos 2–3 y 6–9)
La respuesta es: Dios aumenta su trono a los gritos de alegría; un estruendo de trompetas para el Señor.
• Aplaudan, todos los pueblos, aclamen a Dios con gritos de alegría; porque el Señor, el Altísimo, es temible, es el soberano de toda la tierra.
• Dios asciende entre aclamaciones, asciende al sonido de trompetas. Canten, canten a nuestro Dios, canten, canten a nuestro Rey.
• Dios es el Rey de toda la tierra, cántenle un hermoso himno. Dios reina sobre las naciones, Dios se sienta en su trono sagrado.
Segunda Lectura (Efesios 1: 17–23)
Una lectura de la carta de San Pablo a los efesios.
Que el Dios de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el Padre de la gloria, les conceda un espíritu de sabiduría y de revelación que les permita conocerlo verdaderamente. Que él ilumine sus corazones, para que ustedes puedan valorar la esperanza a la que han sido llamados, los tesoros de gloria que encierra su herencia entre los santos, y la extraordinaria grandeza del poder con que él obra en nosotros, los creyentes, por la eficacia de su fuerza. Este es el mismo poder que Dios manifestó en Cristo, cuando lo resucitó de entre los muertos y lo hizo sentar a su derecha en el cielo, elevándolo por encima de todo Principado, Potestad, Poder y Dominación, y de cualquier otra dignidad que pueda mencionarse tanto en este mundo como en el futuro. Él puso todas las cosas bajo sus pies y lo constituyó, por encima de todo, Cabeza de la Iglesia, que es su Cuerpo y la Plenitud de aquel que llena completamente todas las cosas.
Evangelio (Mateo 28: 16–20)
Una lectura del Evangelio Santo según el San Mateo.
Por su parte, los Once discípulos partieron para Galilea, al monte que Jesús les había indicado. Cuando vieron a Jesús, se postraron ante él, aunque algunos todavía dudaban. Jesús se acercó y les habló así: “Me ha sido dada toda autoridad en el Cielo y en la tierra. Vayan, pues, y hagan que todos los pueblos sean mis discípulos. Bautícenlos en el Nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, y enséñenles a cumplir todo lo que yo les he encomendado a ustedes. Yo estoy con ustedes todos los días hasta el fin de la historia.”
Bacaan Pertama (Kisah para Rasul 1: 1–11)
ReplyDeletePembacaan dari Kisah paa Rasul.
Hai Teofilus, dalam bukuku yang pertama aku menulis tentang segala sesuatu yang dikerjakan dan diajarkan Yesus, sampai pada hari Ia terangkat. Sebelum itu Ia telah memberi perintah-Nya oleh Roh Kudus kepada rasul-rasul yang dipilih-Nya. Kepada mereka Ia menunjukkan diri-Nya setelah penderitaan-Nya selesai, dan dengan banyak tanda Ia membuktikan, bahwa Ia hidup. Sebab selama empat puluh hari Ia berulang-ulang menampakkan diri dan berbicara kepada mereka tentang Kerajaan Allah. Pada suatu hari ketika Ia makan bersama-sama dengan mereka, Ia melarang mereka meninggalkan Yerusalem, dan menyuruh mereka tinggal di situ menantikan janji Bapa, yang—demikian kata-Nya—"telah kamu dengar dari pada-Ku. Sebab Yohanes membaptis dengan air, tetapi tidak lama lagi kamu akan dibaptis dengan Roh Kudus." Maka bertanyalah mereka yang berkumpul di situ: "Tuhan, maukah Engkau pada masa ini memulihkan kerajaan bagi Israel?" Jawab-Nya: "Engkau tidak perlu mengetahui masa dan waktu, yang ditetapkan Bapa sendiri menurut kuasa-Nya. Tetapi kamu akan menerima kuasa, kalau Roh Kudus turun ke atas kamu, dan kamu akan menjadi saksi-Ku di Yerusalem dan di seluruh Yudea dan Samaria dan sampai ke ujung bumi." Sesudah Ia mengatakan demikian, terangkatlah Ia disaksikan oleh mereka, dan awan menutup-Nya dari pandangan mereka. Ketika mereka sedang menatap ke langit waktu Ia naik itu, tiba-tiba berdirilah dua orang yang berpakaian putih dekat mereka, dan berkata kepada mereka: "Hai orang-orang Galilea, mengapakah kamu berdiri melihat ke langit? Yesus ini, yang terangkat ke sorga meninggalkan kamu, akan datang kembali dengan cara yang sama seperti kamu melihat Dia naik ke sorga."
Mazmur (Mazmur 47) (Ayat 2–3 dan 6–9)
Tanggapan adalah: Allah bersemayam di atas tahtanya untuk sorak-sorai; suara terompet untuk Tuhan.
— Hai segala bangsa, bertepuktanganlah, elu-elukanlah Allah dengan sorak-sorai! Sebab TUHAN, Yang Mahatinggi, adalah dahsyat, Raja yang besar atas seluruh bumi.
— Allah telah naik dengan diiringi sorak-sorai, ya TUHAN itu, dengan diiringi bunyi sangkakala. Bermazmurlah bagi Allah, bermazmurlah, bermazmurlah bagi Raja kita, bermazmurlah!
— Sebab Allah adalah Raja seluruh bumi, bermazmurlah dengan nyanyian pengajaran! Allah memerintah sebagai raja atas bangsa-bangsa, Allah bersemayam di atas takhta-Nya yang kudus.
Bacaan Kedua (Efesus 1: 17–23)
Pembacaan dari surat Paulus kepada jemaat di Efesus.
Aku meminta kepada Allah Tuhan kita Yesus Kristus, yaitu Bapa yang mulia itu, supaya Ia memberikan kepadamu Roh hikmat dan wahyu untuk mengenal Dia dengan benar. Dan supaya Ia menjadikan mata hatimu terang, agar kamu mengerti pengharapan apakah yang terkandung dalam panggilan-Nya: betapa kayanya kemuliaan bagian yang ditentukan-Nya bagi orang-orang kudus, dan betapa hebat kuasa-Nya bagi kita yang percaya, sesuai dengan kekuatan kuasa-Nya, yang dikerjakan-Nya di dalam Kristus dengan membangkitkan Dia dari antara orang mati dan mendudukkan Dia di sebelah kanan-Nya di sorga, jauh lebih tinggi dari segala pemerintah dan penguasa dan kekuasaan dan kerajaan dan tiap-tiap nama yang dapat disebut, bukan hanya di dunia ini saja, melainkan juga di dunia yang akan datang. Dan segala sesuatu telah diletakkan-Nya di bawah kaki Kristus dan Dia telah diberikan-Nya kepada jemaat sebagai Kepala dari segala yang ada. Jemaat yang adalah tubuh-Nya, yaitu kepenuhan Dia, yang memenuhi semua dan segala sesuatu.
Bacaan Injil (Matius 28: 16–20)
DeletePembacaan dari Injil kudus menurut Santo Matius.
Dan kesebelas murid itu berangkat ke Galilea, ke bukit yang telah ditunjukkan Yesus kepada mereka. Ketika melihat Dia mereka menyembah-Nya, tetapi beberapa orang ragu-ragu. Yesus mendekati mereka dan berkata: "Kepada-Ku telah diberikan segala kuasa di sorga dan di bumi. Karena itu pergilah, jadikanlah semua bangsa murid-Ku dan baptislah mereka dalam nama Bapa dan Anak dan Roh Kudus, dan ajarlah mereka melakukan segala sesuatu yang telah Kuperintahkan kepadamu. Dan ketahuilah, Aku menyertai kamu senantiasa sampai kepada akhir zaman."
What a great mystery that Ascension is for us! Following the tradition of the Acts of the Apostles (1:3), forty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the solemnity of Jesus’ Ascension. The Church teaches that this event, the irreversible entry of Jesus’ humanity into divine glory, does not end Jesus’ mission in relation to us. Seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus exercises his priesthood, and there he always lives to intercede for us in an eternal liturgy that honors the Heavenly Father (cf. CCC #662). Also, left to our own natural human power we cannot access the Father’s house, and the Lord Jesus opens such an access for us… so that where he who is our Head has gone, we too many confidently follow (CCC #661). Likewise, the Ascension of the Jesus, which is his glorification—and dominion, glory, and kingdom are given to him—serves to tell us: we follow the truth, the way, and the life!
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime, the Ascension of Jesus is the source of our mandate to “go and make disciples,” with great confidence. This is the tone of the Apostle Paul in the second reading (Ephesians 1: 17–23). With emphasis, he writes: “May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened, that you may not know what is the hope that belongs to his call… and what is the surpassing great of his power for us who believe…”
Our time is full of challenges in “making disciples.” In Asia, there continues to be the immensity of those who have not known Jesus. With the exception of the Philippines and East Timor, the Christian faith is a minority in Asia. But more than demographics and geography, there is now the new territory of technology, art, and culture of communication. Blessed Pope Paul VI therefore began the modern practice of celebrating Ascension Sunday as the Church’s World Communications Day.
This Sunday is the 51st World Communications Day, with the theme: “Fear not, for I am with you (Isaiah 43:5): Communicating Hope and Trust in our Time.” In his message for this occasion, Pope Francis observes that because of technological progress, conventional media and the new phenomenon of social media make it possible for a great number of people to share news instantly and “spread it widely.” The uniqueness of social media is that it has transformed the world of communication in this manner: there is no longer the distinction between communicator and receiver, but all have become contributors—authors and editors. Pope Francis observes: “Persons whether in their professional work or personal relationships, are like that grinding mill, daily “grinding out” information with the aim of providing rich fare for those with whom they communicate. With this, the vicious cycle of anxiety and fear resulting from a constant focus on “bad news” (war, terrorism, scandal, and all sorts of human failure) also has become a daily “feed” for many.
DeleteThe liturgy of the Ascension of Jesus to glory, after undergoing his Passion and cross, gives us the charge: we should “make disciples” by proclaiming the Good News. This Good News is Jesus himself who shows us that suffering itself, and the realities of this broken world, are part of a bigger picture… that is, the Kingdom of God unfolding in history, light and glory coming to end the darkness of the grave.
In the language of Pope Francis, we “make disciples” with our communication that should never seek to glamorize evil but should instead “concentrate on solution” and “inspire a positive and responsible approach.” The end of the account of the Ascension in the first reading (Acts 1: 1–11) contains these heavenly words to the first disciples: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” The Ascension teaches us that true Christian faith goes with hope that never tires in proclaim, doing, and teaching goodness. So go! Evil is not limitless, but goodness is. By going up and disappearing to the heavens, Jesus expands our horizons.
Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia.
ReplyDeleteThis is recited if there is no entrance hymn.
DeleteThis is prayer for the Ascension of the Lord mass.
ReplyDeleteLet us pray. Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and where the head has gone before in glory, the body is called to follow in hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Priest: Jesus Christ lives forever and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Through him, we pray to the Father for the needs of the Church and say: Lord of glory, hear our prayer.
ReplyDelete— That the Church may continue to proclaim the message of Christ through the fastest and most effective means, we pray: Lord of glory, hear our prayer.
— That our spiritual and civil leaders may foster mutual respect and always engage in dialogue for the benefit of the people they serve, we pray: Lord of glory, hear our prayer.
— That media practitioners may always foster the accurate reporting of events, full explanation of matters of public concern, and fair representation of diverse points of view, we pray: Lord of glory, hear our prayer.
— That all of us gathered here may have the courage to proclaim the Gospel by word, prayer, and good example, we pray: Lord of glory, hear our prayer.
— Let us pray for all the personal intentions offered for the mass. We pray: Lord of glory, hear our prayer.
Priest: Lord God, your Son goes back to you to share your glory. Our eyes can no longer see him, but we see him with the yes of faith, and continue to love him. Make us serve him by bringing the Good News to the men and women of today, especially through the communications media. We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
We offer sacrifice now in supplication, O Lord, to honor the wondrous Ascension of your Son: grant, we pray, that through this most holy exchange we, too, may rise up to the heavenly realms. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
ReplyDeleteIt is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For after his resurrection he plainly appeared to all his disciples and was taken up to heaven in their sight, that he might make us sharers in his divinity. Therefore, overcome with paschal joy, every land, every people exults in your praise and even the heavenly powers, with the angelic hosts, sing together the unending hymn of your glory, as they acclaim…
ReplyDeleteLet us pray. Almighty ever-living God, who allow those on earth to celebrate divine mysteries, grant, we pray, that Christian hope may draw us onward to where our nature is united with you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
ReplyDeleteThis is the Blessing (closing prayer) for the Ascension of the Lord.
ReplyDeleteMay almighty God bless you, for on this very day his Only Begotten Son pierce the heights of heaven and unlocked for you the way to ascend to where he is. Amen.
May he grant that, as Christ after his resurrection was seen plainly by his disciples, so when he comes as judge he may show himself merciful to you for all eternity. Amen.
And may you, who believe he is seated with the Father in his majesty, know with joy the fulfillment of his promise to stay with you until the end of time. Amen.
And the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son †, and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you forever. Amen.
The mass has ended, and you are sent. Therefore, go and proclaim the joy of the Ascension of the Lord. Thanks be to God.