Go Change the World
The Ascension of the Lord (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Mark 16: 15 - 20 – Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved: whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“…Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere …”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The Gospels end with Jesus ascending into heaven. Luke’s book, The Acts of the Apostles begins, here, at the Ascension. At the beginning of The Acts of the Apostles, immediately before Jesus ascends into heaven, He tells His apostles to wait for the Holy Spirit who will come upon them in power. After the Holy Spirit comes, they are to go be Jesus’ witnesses to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit comes just days later at Pentecost, and their ministry begins immediately. We know from the accounts of the Gospels and Acts, and from many other reliable historical texts, that the apostles went out and preached with great fervor and baptized many. The “Lord worked with them,” and the whole world was changed.
Consider how the apostles had lived with Christ for three years; they knew Him intimately; and they had witnessed the greatest events in history in His Death and Resurrection. And yet, it was not until after Christ ascended to heaven and they had received the Holy Spirit that they went out and changed the world. This is why, earlier, Jesus had said to them, “it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). During these days between Ascension and Pentecost, let us do just what the apostles did: pray for the Holy Spirit. Pray that we will be more open to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that the apostles received in Baptism and Confirmation is the same Holy Spirit whom we receive at Baptism and Confirmation. The same Spirit, with His same power, is within us. If we are open to the Holy Spirit and His power, we also will play a role in changing the world!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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