Daily Readings - Sun May 16 2021
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 Ephesians 4.1-7, 11-13
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.
Ephesians
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Mark
15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through pivotal moments in the life of the early Church and the mission of Christ. The first reading from Acts describes the Ascension of Jesus, where He instructs the Apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit, promising them empowerment to be His witnesses. The second reading from Ephesians is a prayer for wisdom and revelation, highlighting Christ's exaltation and His role as the head of the Church, which is His body. The Gospel from Mark concludes with the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His disciples to preach the Gospel to all creation, promising signs of faith and His eventual return.
These readings are deeply interconnected, each emphasizing the mission of the Church and the empowerment through the Holy Spirit. Acts sets the stage for the Church's beginnings, Ephesians explains the spiritual identity and unity of believers, and Mark provides the command to spread the Gospel. Together, they remind us that we, as part of the Church, are called to witness and share the Good News, trusting in God's power and timing.
In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to embrace our role as part of Christ's body. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live with hope and faith, trusting in Christ's presence and guidance. Let us actively participate in the Church's mission, spreading the Gospel with courage and love, knowing that Christ is with us always. The moral lesson is clear: wait on God, trust in His power, and live as faithful witnesses, embodying the hope and unity found in Christ.