Thursday | May 9, 2024
Acts 1:8
…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.
The Ascension of the Lord
‘You Will Be My Witnesses’
We might think of the feast of the Ascension as the time when Jesus said goodbye to his disciples. But today’s readings make it quite clear: This is not a “Bye, bye, Jesus” feast. It is a “Get ready to welcome the Spirit” feast and a “Go out to all the world” feast.
The readings tell us that Jesus is still present with his followers—though in a new way. Immediately after Jesus “left” them, the disciples “went forth and preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them…” (Mark 16:20). Jesus is not gone! Not then. Not now. The Alleluia antiphon echoes Jesus’ presence in our midst. Jesus promises all his followers—including us: “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Jesus, help me to continue your work of spreading the Gospel in my particular circumstances. I trust in your presence and the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Acts 1:1-11 • Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9 • Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13 • Mark 16:15-20
