Note:
Some
locations will observe the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord,
for which the readings will be posted first. Others will observe the
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle, for which the readings will be
posted second.
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| Both images entitled "The Ascension" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING:
Acts 1:
1-11
1
The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus
began to do and to teach,
2
Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the
apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up.
3
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many
proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom
of God.
4
And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the
Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth.
5
For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with
the Holy Ghost, not many days hence.
6
They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt
thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7
But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments,
which the Father hath put in his own power:
8
But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you,
and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea,
and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.
9
And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was
raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10
And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men
stood by them in white garments.
11
Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven?
This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as
you have seen him going into heaven.
PSALM:
Psalms 47:
2-3, 6-9
2
O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of
Joy,
3
For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.
6
God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.
7
Sing praises to our God, sing ye: sing praises to our king, sing ye.
8
For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye wisely.
9
God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth on his holy throne.
SECOND
READING:
Ephesians 1:
17-23 OR
Ephesians
4: 1-13 OR
Ephesians 4:
1-7, 11-13
17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give
unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of
him:
18
The eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what the hope
is of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who
believe according to the operation of the might of his power,
20
Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting
him on his right hand in the heavenly places.
21
Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that
which is to come.
22
And he hath subjected all things under his feet, and hath made him
head over all the church,
23
Which is his body, and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.
OR
1
I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy
of the vocation in which you are called,
2
With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another
in charity.
3
Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4
One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your
calling.
5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
6
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
us all.
7
But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of
the giving of Christ.
8
Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive; he
gave gifts to men.
9
Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first
into the lower parts of the earth?
10
He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the
heavens, that he might fill all things.
11
And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some
evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors,
12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ:
13
Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of
the fulness of Christ.
OR
1
I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy
of the vocation in which you are called,
2
With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another
in charity.
3
Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4
One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your
calling.
5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
6
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
us all.
7
But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of
the giving of Christ.
11
And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some
evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors,
12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ:
13
Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of
the fulness of Christ
GOSPEL:
Mark 16:
15-20
15
And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.
16
He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that
believeth not shall be condemned.
17
And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall
cast out devils: they shall speak with new tongues.
18
They shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them: they shall lay their hands upon the
sick, and they shall recover.
19
And the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into
heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God.
20
But they going forth preached everywhere: the Lord working withal,
and confirming the word with signs that followed.
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| "The Last Sermon of Our Lord" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST
READING: Acts
1: 15-17, 20-26
15
In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said:
(now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty:)
16
Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy
Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was
the leader of them that apprehended Jesus:
17
Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
20
For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become
desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric
let another take.
21
Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that
the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,
22
Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was
taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his
resurrection.
23
And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias.
24
And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all
men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25
To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas
hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place.
26
And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was
numbered with the eleven apostles.
PSALM:
Psalms 113: 1-8
1
Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.
2
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
3
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name
of the Lord is worthy of praise.
4
The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.
5
Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high:
6
And looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
7
Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of
the dunghill:
8
That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people.
GOSPEL:
John 15: 9-17
9
As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love.
10
If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also
have kept my Father's commandments, and do abide in his love.
11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and
your joy may be filled.
12
This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved
you.
13
Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.
14
You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you.
15
I will not now call you servants: for the servant knoweth not what
his lord doth. But I have called you friends: because all things
whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you.
16
You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed
you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit
should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my
name, he may give it you.
17
These things I command you, that you love one another.
