Liturgical Colour: White. Year: B(II)
Readings at Mass
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First reading
Acts 1:1-11
Jesus was lifted up while they looked on
Commentary
Introduction to Acts: Acts 1:1-2 serves as an introduction to the book of Acts, written by Luke as a continuation of his Gospel account. It recounts the events following Jesus' resurrection and His ongoing ministry through His disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Resurrection Appearances: Acts 1:3-5 describes Jesus' post-resurrection appearances to His disciples over a period of forty days, during which He spoke to them about the kingdom of God and instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Promise of the Holy Spirit: In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus reaffirms the promise of the Holy Spirit, instructing His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they are baptized with power from on high. This promise foreshadows the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, empowering the disciples for their mission.
Ascension of Jesus: Acts 1:6-11 narrates the scene of Jesus' ascension into heaven. As the disciples look on, Jesus is lifted up into the clouds, disappearing from their sight. This event marks the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and His return to the Father's right hand.
Commission to Witness: Before His ascension, Jesus commissions His disciples in Acts 1:8 to be His witnesses, starting from Jerusalem and extending to the ends of the earth. This charge emphasizes the global scope of the Gospel mission and the disciples' role in spreading the message of salvation to all nations.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 46(47):2-3,6-9
God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or
Alleluia!
All people, clap your hands,
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all the earth.
God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or
Alleluia!
God goes up with shouts of joy;
the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
Sing praise for God, sing praise,
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or
Alleluia!
God is king of all the earth,
sing praise with all your skill.
God is king over the nations;
God reigns on his holy throne.
God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast.
or
Alleluia!
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Second reading
Ephesians 4:1-13
We are all to come to unity, fully mature in the knowledge of the Son of God
I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together.There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all, and within all.
Each one of us, however, has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it. It was said that he would:
When he ascended to the height, he captured prisoners,
he gave gifts to men.
When it says, ‘he ascended’, what can it mean if not that he descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended. And to some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. In this way, we are all to come to unity in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself.
Commentary
Call to Unity: In Ephesians 4:1-3, believers are urged to walk in a manner worthy of their calling, demonstrating humility, gentleness, patience, and love, which are essential for maintaining unity within the body of Christ.
Diverse Gifts for Unity: Ephesians 4:4-6 highlights the unity of the Spirit amid the diversity of gifts and callings within the Church. This unity is grounded in the shared confession of faith in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all.
Spiritual Leadership: Ephesians 4:7-11 emphasizes the role of spiritual leaders in equipping the saints for ministry, fostering unity, and promoting spiritual maturity. Christ, the exalted Lord, has given various gifts to His Church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to build up the body of Christ.
Purpose of Equipping: The purpose of spiritual equipping, as stated in Ephesians 4:12-13, is to bring believers to unity and maturity in their knowledge of the Son of God. This maturity involves growing in spiritual understanding, conformity to Christ's character, and steadfastness in faith, ultimately attaining the full measure of Christ's stature.
Goal of Unity and Maturity: Ephesians 4:13 underscores the ultimate goal of spiritual growth and unity within the body of Christ, as believers strive toward the fullness of Christlikeness and attain a mature faith characterized by stability, discernment, and unwavering devotion to Christ.
Gospel Acclamation
Mt28:19,20
Alleluia, alleluia!
Go, make disciples of all the nations.
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.
Alleluia!
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Gospel
Mark 16:15-20
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News
Jesus showed himself to the Eleven and said to them:
‘Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name, they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover.’
And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.
Commentary
- Universal Mission: Jesus commands His disciples in Mark 16:15 to go beyond their immediate surroundings and share the Good News with people from every nation, illustrating the inclusivity of the Gospel message.
- Salvation Through Belief: In Mark 16:16, Jesus emphasizes the necessity of faith for salvation, highlighting the transformative power of belief in Him and the importance of personal response to the Gospel proclamation.
- Supernatural Signs: Mark 16:17-18 details the miraculous signs that will accompany those who believe, indicating the divine authority behind their message and underscoring the authenticity of their mission.
- Ascension and Authority: Jesus' ascension in Mark 16:19 signifies His exaltation and enthronement at the right hand of God, bestowing divine authority upon Him and affirming His sovereignty over all creation.
- Continued Mission: Despite His physical absence, Jesus empowers His disciples to carry out the Great Commission in Mark 16:20, working alongside them to confirm the validity of their message through miraculous signs and divine intervention.
