12 May , 2024 | Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord | Communications Sunday

 Acts 1:1-11, Reading II : Eph 1:17-23

Gospel Mk 16:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Go into the whole world

and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;

whoever does not believe will be condemned.

These signs will accompany those who believe:

in my name they will drive out demons,

they will speak new languages.

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.”

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.

But they went forth and preached everywhere,

while the Lord worked with them

and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

Reflections:

The reading from the Gospel Mark begins with Jesus sending his disciples forth and he tells them to go out into the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation. The Ascension completes, Jesus’ mission amongst us. Just as he believed in the father he too tells us to believe and be baptised, whoever believes in him will cast out demons and speak in different languages. After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples were joyful and ready to go into the world and preach the gospel.

We too as Christians are called to go into the world as missionaries and proclaim the Gospel to all the creation and be His witness. 

Pope Francis points out that “it is not enough for Christians to live their lives by loving their God above everything and loving their neighbours as themselves but to make known to the world the reason for their way of life. 

 Activity: 

Organize a community outreach event focused on sharing the Gospel message and praying for healing.