Ascension of the Lord Solemnity (Seventh Sunday of Easter)
Also Read: Mass Readings for 01 June 2025 Sunday Reflection by Mike – 01 June 2025
“We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!”
First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven!
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (3-4)
The Lord Jesus Christ lived, suffered, died, was buried, and rose again! The people following him, (not only the apostles and Mother Mary) but a hundred and twenty during those days before Pentecost were witness to these facts. (v.15) After His resurrection Jesus, not only appeared to them but ATE with them too! St. Luke emphasizes these facts which are unimaginable with our human intellects but through the eyes of faith we know that HE lives!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 47: 2-3, 6-9
As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. (8-9)
Amen!
Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, (17-18)
Even as St. Paul encourages and prays for the Ephesians, we too are instilled with joy and hope. His words resound to us, today across the ages! We are blessed and inspired by the great prayer he makes for the faithful and thereby for us too! We thank St. Paul! We thank God for giving us such great intercessors. Praise God.
Let us with glad hearts and enlightened minds run the race set out for us! Let us champion each other and carry-on the Pauline legacy of empowerment and encouragement towards our compatriots.
Amen, Alleluia!
Alleluia: Matthew 28: 19a, 20b
Alleluia, Alleluia! “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 24: 46-53
While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. (51-53)
Christ ascends into heaven, but HE is still blessing them as HE ascends! That scene might have been so iconic for the apostles (among the many others) – the last sight of Christ Ascending into Heaven blessing them! The experience of Jesus Christ alive in their midst and being taken up right in front of their eyes, might have filled the disciples hearts with an inexplicable joy, courage, and hope! They, then worship Him and stay in the temple praising God. Later, after Pentecost they will proceed to evangelise the world. But for now they follow His instructions and await the Holy Spirit.
Let us emulate the disciples’ humble disposition. Let us praise and pray to God, as we joyfully await the Holy Spirit. In every moment we need the Holy Spirit, let us be reminded of this great testimony of the apostles’ faith!
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
