The Ascension
Between the Solemnities of the Resurrection and the Pentecost lies an often-overlooked event in Christ's life and the Church's journey. Forty days after Easter, the Church commemorates the Ascension, Christ's bodily rise into heavenly glory.
Luke's narrative describes how "He was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight" (Acts 1:9).
"And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
The Ascension should not be viewed literally as a sci-fi teleportation tale. It symbolizes Christ's transcendence beyond the constraints of time and space that marked his earthly existence.
Jesus' ascent into the sky may seem perplexing. Did he journey to outer space? Luke's mention of a cloud concealing Jesus from view symbolizes God's presence.
Throughout Scripture, the cloud signifies divine proximity, as seen in the Transfiguration account. By stating that Jesus disappeared into a cloud, Luke reveals his entry into the divine realm.
Celebrate the Ascension with your Church of the Home:
Cloud Watching Picnic
Pack a picnic lunch for after Mass. Find a park or hike that you can lay out a blanket and look at the clouds and talk about Christ’s Ascension. Read the story in the Scriptures together Mark 16:14-19, or Luke 24:50-51, or in Acts 1:9-12.
Balloon Release
Buy some helium biodegradable balloons. Enjoy their happy presence all day. Then in late afternoon or early evening before the sun sets, take the balloons outside, read the story of Jesus’ ascension in Acts 1:6-11, write a note or message to Jesus on your balloon and then together release them. Watch them disappear into the sky and imagine His disciples watching Jesus ascend to Heaven
Discuss as a Church of the Home
At the Ascension, Jesus told the disciples that they will be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.
+What does “witness to the ends of the earth” means to you. +What kind of “witnesses” do you like to think about (saints, declared or undeclared)? +Do you yourself “witness” in any way?
All-loving God, we give you thanks and praise for mothers young and old.
We pray for young mothers, who give life and count toes and tend to our every need; May they be blessed with patience and tenderness to care for their families and themselves with great joy.
We pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us; May they continue to guide us in strong and gentle ways.
We remember mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, or conflict; May they feel the loving embrace of our God who wipes every tear away.
We pray for women who are not mothers but still love and shape us with motherly care and compassion.
We remember mothers. grandmothers, and great-grandmothers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love.
Amen.
Join us for Mass this weekend in person at 4:00 PM on Saturday, 8:30 or 10:30 AM on Sunday, on www.gbres.org/live, our YouTube channel, and our Facebook page.
READINGS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S MASSES
VIRTUALLY SUNDAY REFLECTION
Transformation can be difficult as we cling to our own expectations. But by doing the hard work of transformation, individually and collectively, we will emerge as something beyond our imagination, something only God could dream of. Join Bridget as she reflects on the Ascension for this weekend.
Families
This Weekend's Bulletin
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