Daily Readings - Sun Jun 02 2019
Acts
1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
First Reading - Ephesians 1.17-23 or Hebrews 9.24-28; 10.19-23
Ephesians
17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Hebrews
24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Luke
44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48You are witnesses of these things.49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."50When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we reflect on the ascension of Jesus and the empowerment of the disciples, drawing us into a deeper understanding of our faith and mission. The first reading from Acts describes the moment when Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving the disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit. This event marks the transition from Jesus' physical presence to the spiritual empowerment of the Church. The second reading from Ephesians highlights the richness of our inheritance in Christ, emphasizing His power and the Church's role as His body. The Gospel from Luke concludes with Jesus commissioning the disciples to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins, followed by His ascension, which becomes a moment of joy and praise for the disciples.
These readings are interconnected, as they all point to the ascension and the ensuing mission of the Church. Acts and Luke's Gospel are sequential, with Acts building on the events of Luke, showing the disciples' transformation from observers to active witnesses. Ephesians complements this by explaining the spiritual dimensions of our faith, reminding us of the power and glory we share in Christ. Together, they invite us to trust in God's timing and to embrace our role as witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to wait on God's plan and to trust in His power. Just as the disciples were called to wait for the Holy Spirit, we too are invited to be patient and open to the Spirit's guidance. The moral lesson here is one of trust and boldness. We are called to live as witnesses of Christ, sharing the message of repentance and forgiveness. Let us embrace our mission with joy, knowing that we are part of a larger story, empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our role in God's plan.