Go Make Disciples
The Ascension of the Lord (A)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 28: 16-20 – The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord into heaven. The event of the Ascension is described with the most detail, not in the Gospels, but in the Book of Acts. It is very briefly touched on at the end of only two of the Gospels (Mark and Luke) and not at all in the other two Gospels (Matthew and John). And we are reading from Matthew’s Gospel today. The setting of this Gospel passage, then, is in the days after Jesus Resurrection very soon before His Ascension. Though we don’t read about the Ascension taking place here, we do get to see what’s on Jesus’ mind right before He departs. He’s thinking about gathering souls.
As Jesus leaves the world, He expects (even commands) His Church to carry on His mission of bringing salvation to the world. The Church accomplishes this mission through its Sacraments (“[baptize] them…”) and its teachings (“teach them”). As the Church, all of us play a part in evangelizing the world. This is the Lord’s command to us… His pleading with us: “Go… make disciples.” We will play a part in bringing salvation to others. After knowing, loving, and serving God, our foremost focus should be souls. Are we evangelizing others? Christ commands it. The world needs it. And we each have a role to play. Pray, then Go!
GO!
Together as a family pray a portion of the Rosary (i.e. – very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture 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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