Jesus is taken to heaven and the disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting His sending of the Spirit.

From the desk of Ms. Kathleen Cook, Director of Religious Education

Theme: John 24:46-53 Jesus is taken to heaven and the disciples remain in Jerusalem awaiting his sending of the Spirit.

Summary: This Gospel account of the Ascension is much shorter than the account in the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus instructs the disciples to stay in Jerusalem; this requires great trust on the part of the disciples, because they know that the authorities are searching for them. However, they trust that Jesus will direct and be with them. In this description of the Ascension, Jesus blesses the disciples and bids them farewell. It is essential to notice that even though Jesus takes leave of the disciples, they return to the city with exuberant praise. This reveals that the disciples are motivated by trust as they take up the work of Jesus.

Scripture: Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

 When Jesus was ready to return to heaven, he took his disciples aside to make sure that they understood everything that had happened to him. He explained why it was important for him to be crucified and to be raised from the dead to fulfill what the Scriptures had said about him. He also told them that he was going to return to his Father in heaven, and that the Holy Spirit would come to be with them.

At first, the disciples were sad that Jesus would be leaving them, but then the Bible tells us that Jesus opened their minds so they would understand. Then, an amazing thing happened. The Bible tells us that Jesus lifted his hands and blessed his disciples. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus had ascended into heaven, the disciples worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. There they stayed continually in the temple, praising God.

Dear Father, we thank you for sending Jesus, your only Son, to die for our sins. We know that he has risen from the dead and has returned to heaven. Bless us today as we worship him with great joy! Amen.

My Promise to Jesus: Lord, when I can’t find the words to pray, I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me

Let us pray for our children receiving Eucharist for the first time. We ask that their minds may be filled with His truth and their hearts with His love. We also remember their parents, godparents and catechists who by their words and actions guided these children through their Eucharistic preparation.

Reflect: If a word or phrase from the Gospel captures your heart, sit quietly for several minutes, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life.

Or reflect and possibly journal on the following question: How can Christian teens avoid turning off other teens without sacrificing their Christian values?

Suggested book that compliments today’s Gospel:

http://scu.edu/character/build-plant-grow/

The Value of Truth and Trust: The Story of Cochise

Written by Ann Donegan Johnson

ISBN: 13:978-0916392109

Family Discussion: Any family that has tried to sit down to a family dinner or packed the car for a trip has heard children argue at least once about who should sit where. To sit next to someone, especially if that person is important, is to have a place of honor. Jesus has this place of honor, seated now at the right hand of the Father (as we say in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed), but there’s more to this metaphor than where Jesus sits in relation to God. To be in the place of honor is also to be in a place of power. Knowing people in powerful places can be very helpful. Children remind us of this each time we are called upon to referee a conflict. Jesus, honored now at God’s right hand, is a powerful ally for us.

As you gather as a family, recall a time when there was a discussion, or perhaps even an argument, about where people were going to sit. Talk about why it might be important to a person to sit in a particular place. Mention that in this Sunday’s Gospel we learn about Jesus’ place in heaven. Read together Luke 24:46-53. Talk about how in the Creed we describe Jesus’ place in heaven as “seated at the right hand of the Father.” Discuss what we might learn about the relationship between God and Jesus from today’s Gospel and from the Creed and what we can learn about Jesus’ relationship to us. Observe that one of the things we learn is that Jesus continues to help us from this place of honor in heaven. Pray together the Apostles’ Creed.