Ascension of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, May 24, 2020

The Ascension of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, May 24, 2020

Readings for Ascension of the Lord A (note)
FIRST READING: Acts 1:1-11
Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9. "God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord."
SECOND READING: Eph 1:17-23
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Matt 28:19a+20b). Alleluia, alleluia! Go and teach all people my Gospel. I am with you always until the end of the world.
GOSPEL: Matt 28:16-20

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock vector ID: 1234564516. Biblical vector illustration series, The Ascension of Jesus. By Rudall30

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Please listen to my audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for the The Ascension of the Lord. Year A - Sunday, May 24, 2020 by clicking this link here https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/easter-ascension-a-2020-episode-229/s-KVxDwq7CCvp  (EPISODE: 229)
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Prologue: (Fr Paul).  The disciples receive their mission in Galilee, a marginalized region, close to the pagan world and, as a result, an area viewed with contempt by the practising Jews of Judea where Jerusalem is located. The proclamation of the gospel starts from an insignificant and despised land. This is not just a matter of geography; it is highly significant. It serves as an example. For us today, Galilee is the world of the poor and the marginalised. This is our starting place to proclaim the gospel to everyone without exception. We will do that with the conviction that the Lord will always be with us (Mt 28:20).-    
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The Homily this weekend will be given by Fr. Peter Dillon.
ASCENSION DAY 2020
'Nothing is permanent except change'. Greek philosopher Heraclitus two and a half thousand years ago. To live is to change. And whenever there is an important change or a new beginning in the life of an individual or a community, there are ceremonies and rites to mark those significant changes.

Psychologically, it's important to acknowledge the transition from the old to the new, from the past to the future, from what was, to what is to be. We often use commissioning ceremonies to mark such new beginnings, especially if the changes are planned and intentional, if they are the result of careful planning, preparation and training.

Just put in your search Engine: "commissioning service," and you get 49,600,000 results! We hold commissioning services for everything from new hospitals and ships, football teams, new officers in the military and police, parish councils, school students and staff and university faculties.

It is a way of showing that something or someone is now judged fit and ready to begin.
Each of the Gospels ends with a commissioning of some sort, a way of making the transition from the time when Jesus physically walked the earth with his disciples to the time after his Ascension, when they learnt to recognize his presence among them in a different way. Today's readings provide us with Luke's version of that commission.

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.

Matthew's version is more specific: they are to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all his commands, (the Great Commission).

In our liturgical life, the feast of the Ascension marks a transition between the resurrection of Christ at Easter and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost – it is an opportune time for us to reflect on our own commissioning as disciples of the Lord, and to ask ourselves if we, and our community, remain fit for our purpose.

The Ignatian way of checking our status:
What have I done for Christ?
What am I doing for Christ?
What will I do for Christ?

We might look to the way we celebrate Christ's ongoing presence:

What is the quality of our listening to his words and reaching into the Scriptures?

How do we communicate this teaching and spirit of Christ to others?

Are we open and welcoming to others?

Do we invite them to join the family of Christ?
In our own personal discipleship, are we faithful to our commitment to follow Christ through our life of prayer and service of others?

We might ask whether our community is fit for that most fundamental purpose, the reason why we exist as a Christian family – to be witnesses to the risen Christ, to all people.

This daunting task is the greatest of all commissions, but not one we need to fear. For Jesus is with us always – in word and sacrament and community – and he sends us the Holy Spirit, to give us power and confidence for our mission. We need to show by our lives our attitudes our conversations and above all our actions that God it not up there, somewhere in the clouds, but right here walking beside us, turning our complacency, and timidity into something courageous, full of fortitude and wisdom. 

Is this message addressed to you or just the person sitting beside you?
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References:
Homily:  fr peter Dillon

Prologue by Fr Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by "VISION   – PRAYING SCRIPTURE IN A CONTEMPORARY WAY." YEAR A. BY MARK LINK S.J. P.154

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock vector ID: 1234564516. Biblical vector illustration series, The Ascension of Jesus. By Rudall30.


The Ascension of the Lord. Year A  (Sunday, May 24, 2020)  (EPISODE: 229 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Peace and greetings to you all.}}

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
sung
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Ascension I
Eucharistic Prayer III
Communion side.  pwk:  RH
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{I pray this week brings you an ever deeper expereience of his compassion and love.}

Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
NB - It is often a week or so Ahead:  https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks

You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: paulkellyreflections+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers. 

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria,  copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org.  

- "Today I Arise" - For Tricia J. Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. 

May God bless and keep you. 
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