Daily Readings - Sun May 24 2020

¹Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach²instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up³He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations⁴And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, "about which you have heard," he said, "from my own mouth⁵For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.⁶Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?⁷But he said to them: "It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority⁸But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.⁹And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight¹⁰And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments¹¹And they said: "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.

Ephesians

Chapter 1

¹⁷so that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation to you, in knowledge of him¹⁸May the eyes of your heart be illuminated, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and the wealth of the glory of his inheritance with the saints¹⁹and the preeminent magnitude of his virtue toward us, toward we who believe in accord with the work of his powerful virtue²⁰which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead and establishing him at his right hand in the heavens²¹above every principality and power and virtue and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age, but even in the future age²²And he has subjected all things under his feet, and he has made him the head over the entire Church²³which is his body and which is the fullness of him who accomplishes everything in everyone

Matthew

Chapter 28

¹⁶Now the eleven disciples went on to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them¹⁷And, seeing him, they worshipped him, but certain ones doubted¹⁸And Jesus, drawing near, spoke to them, saying: "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth¹⁹Therefore, go forth and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have ever commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even to the consummation of the age.

Sermon

In today's readings, we journey through pivotal moments in the life of the early Church and the mission of Jesus' disciples. The first reading from Acts recounts Jesus' ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the disciples' role as witnesses. The second reading from Ephesians offers a prayer for wisdom and highlights Christ's supreme authority over all creation. The Gospel in Matthew presents the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to baptize and teach all nations, promising His enduring presence. These readings are interconnected by themes of authority, mission, and empowerment. Acts sets the stage with the ascension and the promise of the Holy Spirit, equipping the disciples for their mission. Ephesians deepens our understanding of Christ's authority, which underpins the confidence needed for the task. Matthew's Great Commission calls us to action, supported by the assurance of Christ's presence. In our daily lives, these readings inspire us to embrace our role as modern-day disciples. We are called to trust in God's plan, to be courageous in sharing the Gospel, and to live with purpose, knowing we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The moral lesson is clear: as followers of Christ, we are entrusted with a mission that requires faith, courage, and reliance on God's power. Let us live with hope and purpose, fulfilling our calling as witnesses of Christ's love and truth.