Readings and Themes for the weekend of May 24, 2009, Ascension of the Lord

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of May 24, 2009, Ascension of the Lord

Reading I Acts 1:1-11

Jesus is taken up to heaven.

Psalm 47

God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Reading II Ephesians 1:17-23

Christ is seated at God’s right hand.

Gospel Mark 16:15-20

After the Ascension the disciples go and preach everywhere.

THEME:
We are sent and Christ is with us

When we hear the account of the Lord’s ascension, we can only imagine how abandoned the apostles must have felt when Jesus was lifted up before their eyes. The power emanating from his passion, death, and resurrection, however, was enough to keep their hearts filled with hope and this hope was the springboard from which they began a preaching and teaching ministry that began to spread the good News of salvation, a ministry that reaches us even to this day. As today’s word is proclaimed; let us listen for words of hope, encouragement, and commissioning.

Question for Children:

Jesus helps us be brave when we need to be. When do you need to be brave?

Question for Youth:

Even after Jesus ascended into heaven, he worked through the disciples to spread the Gospel. We are Jesus’ disciples today. How can you open yourself up more to let Jesus work through you to be Good News in the world today?

Question for Adults:

How do you experience the divine power of Christ-among-us in your daily life?