Sunday, May 12, 2024
The Solemnity of the Ascension occurs on the 40th day of Easter. However, in most dioceses in the United States, the observance is moved to the following Sunday, superseding the 7th Sunday of Easter.
The readings for the The Ascension of the Lord for Year B (see below) encourage us to being open to the Holy Spirit and willing to spread the Good News. The first reading tells of Jesus’ ascent into heaven and his promise to send the Holy Spirit. The second reading asks for the Holy Spirit to come to us so we can declare the kingship of Jesus Christ. And in the gospel, Jesus gives us the Great Commission, to go and spread the gospel.
Discussion topics for this week could include evangelization, the Holy Spirit, and transitions.
Daily Mass Readings for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord – Year B
- First Reading – Acts 1:1-11: “When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 47: “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.”
- Second Reading – Ephesians 1:17-23: “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.”
- Alternate Second Reading – Ephesians 4:1-13: “live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace”
- Gospel – Mark 16:15-20: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”
Additional resources for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord – Year B
The Holy Spirit Is Like the Wind (Kite Activity)
This activity is to show children how the Holy Spirit is like the wind. We can’t see the Holy Spirit directly, but we can see the work of the Spirit. You will need one or more kites and an outdoor…
Proclaim the Gospel
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.
Who Lives in Your World? – Discussion and Reflection Questions
This reflection encourages youth to think about what it means to spread the Gospel to “the whole world”
Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Augustine
This prayer to the Holy Spirit, which is attributed to St. Augustine, is one of my favorite prayers. It is all about the call to holiness, which our Holy Father recently focused on. Download a printable copy of this prayer.
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