Daily Mass Readings – Sunday, 9 May 2027

1 The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach,

2 Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up.

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.

4 And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth.

5 For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.

6 They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power:

8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments.

11 Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven.

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

or

R. Alleluia.

2 O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of Joy,

3 For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.

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

or

R. Alleluia.

6 God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

7 Sing praises to our God, sing ye: sing praises to our king, sing ye.

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

or

R. Alleluia.

8 For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye wisely.

9 God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth on his holy throne.

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

or

R. Alleluia.

1 I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called,

2 With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.

3 Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling.

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.

7 But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive; he gave gifts to men.

9 Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

11 And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors,

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ;

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

19a, 20b Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

15 And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues.

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the sick, and they shall recover.

19 And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God.

20 But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal, and confirming the word with signs that followed.

Jesus’ ascension does not end his presence among his disciples; it changes the way they are to receive it. The apostles are told to wait for the Holy Spirit, then to become witnesses “to the uttermost part of the earth.” They are not given control over the Father’s times and moments. Their task is faithfulness: to receive the Spirit’s power, proclaim the Gospel, and trust that the Lord will work with them.

Christ now reigns at the right hand of the Father, yet he continues his work through his Body, giving different gifts for the building up of the Church. That mission requires the humility, gentleness, patience, and mutual charity described in the letter. Evangelization is never a private achievement; it grows from the unity of one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one hope. We can begin wherever God has placed us, offering our particular grace in service of the whole Church. The disciples went forth, and the Lord confirmed their preaching. His ascension sends us forward with confidence: we speak of Christ, while Christ himself remains at work.

Lord Jesus, risen and exalted at the right hand of the Father, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us. Free us from the desire to control what belongs to the Father’s wisdom, and make us faithful in the work you have given us. Give us humility, patience, and charity, so that our lives may strengthen the unity of your Church. Help us recognize and use the gifts you have entrusted to us for the service of others. Make our words and actions true witnesses to your Gospel, trusting that you remain with us and work through us. Amen.