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Note: In places where the feast of the Ascension of the Lord is not celebrated on the Thursday of the sixth week of Easter, the feast is moved to the seventh Sunday of Easter.
First Reading Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11 Jesus is taken up to heaven in the presence of the Apostles.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 47:2-3,6-9 Sing praise to God as he mounts his throne.
Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23 or Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at his right hand.
Gospel Reading Luke 24:46-53 Jesus is taken to heaven and the disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting his sending of the Spirit.
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today is our liturgical celebration of the Ascension of the Lord, when Jesus was taken to heaven on the 40th day after Easter. In Cycle C, our Gospel is taken from the conclusion of the Gospel of Luke.
There are similarities in the reports of Jesus' Ascension found in the Synoptic Gospels—Mark, Matthew, and Luke. In each account, Jesus assigns his disciples the task of proclaiming the Gospel to the entire world. There are also notable distinctions. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, the disciples are sent by Jesus to baptize as well as to preach. In Luke's Gospel, however, this commission to baptize is absent. Instead, Jesus directs the disciples to return to Jerusalem to await the fulfillment of his promise to send them the Holy Spirit. Curiously, only Mark and Luke actually report Jesus' Ascension into heaven. Matthew's Gospel concludes with Jesus' promise to remain with his disciples forever. Only the Gospel of Mark notes that Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God. In noting this, Mark teaches that Jesus' Ascension affirms the glory Jesus received from God after his death and Resurrection.
Those who believe in Jesus will be empowered to do what Jesus himself has done. Already in Mark's Gospel, during his ministry, Jesus sent his disciples out to preach, to heal, and to drive out unclean spirits. Now, they are sent again to do these things and more. From his place with God in heaven, Jesus helped his disciples, and he continues to help us as we try to live as his followers.