1. Sunday Readings Commentary and Reflections
Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord
Catholic Communication’s Sunday
May 17, 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
As aid in focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr Cielo Almazan, OFM

2. We focus on the ascension of Jesus.
1st reading: Acts 1,1-11
1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
We focus on the ascension of Jesus.

3. 1st reading: Acts 1,1-11 A Simple Outline
Luke’s Story of Jesus from his ministry to his ascension
1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ command to wait for the Holy Spirit
4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Luke’s description of Jesus’ ascension and the apostles’ gaze and the message of the angels
9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

4. 1st reading: Acts 1,1-11
Luke’s Story of Jesus from his ministry to his ascension
1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Commentary
In v.1, Luke, the author, recalls the story of Jesus in the first book, the gospel, he has written.
Luke writes to the same addressee, Theophilus (not a man in the streets, but someone who is learned, cultured or who can reproduce copies for other communities)
In vv.1-2, Luke reminds Theophilus about the works and teachings of Jesus from his baptism to his ascension.
In v.2, Luke says that Jesus ascended into heaven after he has given instructions.
V.3 tells of Jesus’ appearances and his preaching of the kingdom of God, after he suffered (and died).

5. 1st reading: Acts 1,1-11
Jesus’ command to wait for the Holy Spirit
4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
V.4 indicates that Jesus is staying with the apostles.
The apostles are told to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise (Holy Spirit).
V.5 indicates that the apostles will be baptized (meaning, will receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost).
In v.6, the disciples ask Jesus if their reception of the Holy Spirit signals the restoration of Israel.
In v.7, Jesus answers.
V.8 repeats v.5.
Jesus assigns them to be his witnesses (to testify to him) in all of Israel and the whole world.

6. 1st reading: Acts 1,1-11
Luke’s description of Jesus’ ascension and the apostles’ gaze and the message of the angels
9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
In v.9, Jesus ascends into heaven.
In v.10, two men (angels) appear to them.
In v.11, the two men ask a question why the apostles are looking up to heaven.
They say that Jesus will descend in the same way he ascends into heaven.

7. Reflections on the 1st reading
The ascension is not just the fact of Jesus going up to heaven.
For the apostles, it is the start of the waiting for the Holy Spirit to come to them, that they may become Jesus’ witnesses all over the world, not just in Israel.
Now, the apostles will go global.
Gone will be the days when they will operate only within Israel.
The ascension of Jesus should teach us to widen our horizons.

8. Resp. Psalm: Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
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.
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.
For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.

9. Resp. Psalm: Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Commentary
The psalm is classified as a royal psalm.
It is about God sitting on his throne.
The psalm leads us to believe that Jesus, who is God, now sits on his throne. It is a big event. It is not a casual sitting down.
In v.2, the psalmist addresses all the peoples to rejoice (clap your hands, sing with cries of gladness).
V.3 gives the reason why: God is the great king…
In v.6, God does not simply and quietly sits down on his throne, but people render shouts of joy and trumpet blasts.
In v.7, the psalmist exhorts people to sing praise to the king…
Vv.8-9 also give the reason for singing.
R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
2 All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 3 For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth.
6 God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. 7 Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.
8 For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 9 God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.

10. Reflections on the Psalm
Jesus’ ascension and sitting on his throne call for a celebration.
On his ascension, we also recognize Christ as king, taking his post as the ruler of the universe.
We, Christians, are enjoined to rejoice, to celebrate Christ’s victory over all.
We should make holy noise, for the whole world to hear.
We communicate our Christian message by our joyful and inspiring celebrations.

11. The focus is on living Christian lives worthily.
2nd Reading: Eph 4,
1 I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 11 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
The focus is on living Christian lives worthily.

12. 2nd Reading: Eph 4,1-7.11-13 Commentary
In v.1, Paul, supposedly the author, is in prison.
Paul urges Christians to exhibit a behavior that befits their Christian calling (vocation).
V.2 enumerates what these behaviors are:
Humility (not insisting on one’s ego)
Gentleness (treating people with delicadeza)
Patience (ability to tolerate mistakes or shortcomings without flaring up)
Bearing with one another (ability to endure other’s excesses and failures)
1 I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love,

13. 2nd Reading: Eph 4,
3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:
V.3 also ask Christians to preserve unity in spirit (in vision, in purpose).
No Christian should divide the community by his/her misbehavior.
V.3 also mentions the way to preserve unity: through the bond of peace.
Bond of peace means Christians are enjoined to preserve peace by being peaceable at all cost.

14. 2nd Reading: Eph 4,
4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
V.4 gives reason why we have to be united:
We belong to one body and one Spirit.
We have one hope (destiny, heaven).
V.5 gives another reason for unity:
We have one Lord, one faith
We receive one baptism
V.6 adds another reason:
We have one God and Father.

15. 2nd Reading: Eph 4,
7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 11 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
V.7 talks about our giftedness. No one is not gifted by Christ.
V.11 enumerates the gifts (charisms) of vocation:
Apostles (like the 12 apostles)
Prophets (those who speak on behalf of God)
Evangelists (those who write or proclaim the gospel)
Pastors (leaders of the churches, shepherds)
Teachers (catechists, theology professors)

16. 2nd Reading: Eph 4,
12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.
In v.12, the holy ones seem to be assigned to build up the church (these are active church members).
V.13 intimates that all of these offices will function until we become united in faith and knowledge of Jesus, and we become fully mature in Christ (spiritually mature).

17. Reflections on the 2nd reading
God wills unity in the Church.
Unity does not mean we are doing the same things.
God has given us different assignments.
He has called each of us to perform well in our respective assignments/ministries for the betterment of the Church.

18. Reflections, con’t God asks us to respect the gifts he has given us.
Let us prove to be worthy of those gifts and calling.
We should not afford to squander them.
We are not putting them into use
if we are the source of division in our communities,
if we are hampering their development by our frequent absences or negligence
If we are not doing our homework.

19. Gospel: Mk 16,15-20
15 Jesus said to his disciples, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents (with their hands), and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
The focus is on the ascension of Jesus.

20. Gospel: Mk 16,15-20 Mission Sending
A simple outline!
Mission Sending
15 Jesus said to his disciples, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents (with their hands), and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Ascension
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
Mission in Action
20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

21. Gospel: Mk 16,15-20 Scholars believe that Mark’s gospel ends in 16:8.
Commentary:
Scholars believe that Mark’s gospel ends in 16:8.
Our reading today is not in the original gospel of Mark.
Well, we still entertain it because it is accepted in the canon.
The Christian churches preserved this reading in their liturgies; they found it helpful for their churches. It did not constitute a threat to their faith. It enhanced the gospel of Mark. If it were not there, they would feel something was lacking
As in the 1st and 2nd readings, the idea of ascension takes a few words only.
We find more words about the commissioning of the apostles, about their mission.
It is clear by now that we cannot discuss the mystery of the ascension without the mission of the apostles and the church.
Mission Sending
15 Jesus said to his discples, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents (with their hands), and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Ascension
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
Mission in Action
20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

22. Reflections on the gospel reading
The 11 apostles, to be true to their name, must be sent (apostellein means to send).
They are sent by the resurrected and soon-to-ascend, Jesus.
To be a follower (or believer) of Jesus, one must work for the salvation of mankind (by preaching, baptizing, exorcizing, speaking in tongues, being unharmed, by healing).
With the physical absence of Jesus, Christians should make Jesus present in the world.

23. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
Before ascending, Jesus instructs his apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit and then do their mission (1st reading)
Right before ascending, Jesus commands his apostles to preach, baptize, etc. (mission ad gentes) for the salvation of mankind. The apostles obey (gospel reading)
Long after Jesus’ ascension, Paul instructs the brethren to promote unity among themselves (mission inter gentes). (2nd reading)
The psalm commands us to celebrate the ascension of Jesus, seating on his throne like his Father. (Psalm)

24. How to develop your homily/sharing
What is the meaning of the Ascension of our Lord?
We get the meaning from the readings and from the psalm.
Let us not waste time trying to explain scientifically how Jesus went up to heaven.
We will never get a satisfactory answer.
We should be more interested in the meaning of the story of his Ascension.

25. Based on the gospel reading, for Jesus, it is about giving final instructions to his apostles.
He instructs them to proclaim the gospel to every creature.
He assures salvation to those who believe in their preaching.
It is, most of all, about his going up into heaven and sitting at the right hand of the Father.
For the disciples, it is the execution of his instructions to proclaim the gospel to all.

26. Based on the first reading, the period between the Ascension and the Pentecost is a time of waiting for the Holy Spirit.
The apostles cannot do their mission without first receiving the Holy Spirit.
The Acts of the Apostles adds this important detail after the Ascension of Jesus.
It also clarifies their mistaken notion that Jesus is a political messiah. He will not restore Israel from their point of view.
His Ascension brings out a promise that Jesus is coming back, in the same manner that he is going up to heaven.

27. The second reading does not directly talk about the Ascension of Jesus.
Instead, the author gives instructions on how to promote or maintain unity in the midst of their diverse gifts and positions in the community.
Christian discipleship is not only proclaiming the gospel to all nations, but also maintaining order and harmony in the Church.
It would be unbecoming of a Christian if she / he does not make use of her / his gifts to help others grow into Christian maturity.

28. The responsorial psalm celebrates God taking his seat upon his throne.
Since we believe Jesus is also God, with the psalm, we can also rejoice with thundering praise at his Ascension and his sitting at the right hand of the Father.
We do not let go of this big event unnoticed.
This is the way to witness that truly Christ is the Son of God, the king, going back to his seat which was “vacated” due to his incarnation.

29. The Ascension of Jesus should make our vision more horizontally than vertically oriented.
We, Christians, should now be heavily involved with our mission of proclaiming the gospel, etc.
But how much of our time are we wasting doing nothing in our churches and premises, rather than searching for the lost souls outside the church?
There should be more personal or group activity outside the church than inside the church in terms of evangelization.
There are always masses and sacraments in the church, but they should not be an excuse for us, Christians, not to get involved with the people’s struggles outside.

30. In our parishes, we should seek the un-churched and bring back those who have lost their faith, and make them active in their own areas.
Enough is clericalism (love of lay wearing sotanas, looking like little priests; looking nice - narcissistic, serving the masses whole day, without commitment to evangelize one’s own household and neighborhood (mission) and alleviate their situation - JPIC). Or the priests and deacons taking over the role of the lay.

31. The eucharist is the sign of Jesus’ presence to us especially after his ascension.
The eucharist is the sacrament of Christian unity.
We come home to the eucharist after we have done our mission outside the church.
We bring people to the eucharist, after we have taught them how to live our faith.
Reception of the eucharist is the peak of our joyful celebration, without which our participation will be incomplete.

32. Our Context of Sin and Grace
Nominal Christians (Christians in name only, Christians without a sense of mission)
Misguided Christians, more time inside the church than outside.
Excessive love for positions, without corresponding actions
Strong missionary spirit
Integral evangelization, JPIC
New evangelization
Catechism
Liturgical celebrations with skilled musicians
The End

33. You may also read my article in the Sambuhay for this Sunday.
Suggested Songs
Go Tell Everyone
Peace I Leave with You
Isang Pananampalataya
There is One Lord by Lucien Deiss
Follow Christ by Sebastian Temple
You may also read my article in the Sambuhay for this Sunday.