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Lectionary Readings for Ascension Years A, B and C
Readings, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel
Reading I, Acts 1, 1-11
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Why are you standing here looking into the sky? Jesus has been taken into
heaven.
In my first account, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught
until the day he was taken up to heaven, having first instructed the apostles
he had chosen through the Holy Spirit. In the time after his suffering he
showed them in many convincing ways that he was alive, appearing to them over
the course of forty days and speaking to them about the reign of God. On one
occasion when he met with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem: "Wait,
rather, for the fulfillment of my Father's promise, of which you have heard
me speak. John baptized with water, but within a few days you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit." While they were with him they asked, "Lord,
are you going to restore the rule to Israel now?" His answer was: "The exact
time it is not yours to know. The Father has reserved that to himself. You
will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you; then you are to be
my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, yes, even to the ends
of the earth." No sooner had he said this than he was lifted up before their
eyes in a cloud which took him from their sight. They were still gazing up
into the heavens when two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of
Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking up at the skies? This
Jesus who has been taken from you will return, just as you saw him go up
into the heavens."
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm, Ps 47, 2-3. 6-7. 8-9. R. v. 6
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy;
a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Alternative R. Alleluia.
1. All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth. R.
2. God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the Lord, amid trumpet blasts,
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise. R.
3. For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne. R.
Reading II, Eph 1, 17-23
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
He made Jesus to sit at his right hand in heaven.
May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit
of wisdom and insight to know him clearly. May he enlighten your innermost
vision that you may know the great hope to which he has called you, the
wealth of his glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the
church, and the immeasurable scope of his power in us who believe. It is
like the strength he showed in raising Christ from the dead and seating him
at his right hand in heaven, high above every principality, power, virtue,
and domination, and every name that can be given in this age or the age to
come. He has put all things under Christ's feet and has made him thus
exalted, head of the church, which is his body: the fullness of him who
fills the universe in all its parts.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel, Mt 28, 16-20
Alleluia
R. Alleluia. Go and teach all people my gospel. I am with you always,
until the end of the world. R. Alleluia.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel, According to Matthew
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
The eleven disciples made their way to Galilee, to the mountain to which
Jesus had summoned them. At the sight of him, those who had entertained
doubts fell down in homage. Jesus came forward and addressed them in these
words: "Full authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth; go,
therefore, and make disciples of all the nations. Baptize them in the name
'of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.' Teach them to carry
out everything I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always,
until the end of the world!"
The Gospel of the Lord.
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