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“What to Preach and Where to Reach” (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11)Today is Ascension Day, that glorious day when our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, where he now sits at the right hand of the Father and from where he will come again on the last day. Ascension Day, which occurred forty days after Easter and thus on a Thursday, which is why we always have service on this day of the week at this time of the year. The Ascension of Our Lord is a major festival in the church year, because it marks such a momentous event. Forty...

“A Place for Jim” (John 14:1-6)When someone we love leaves us, it can be very painful for us. Our heart aches. That person we know and love is no longer with us, and we miss him. That’s what we’re experiencing now with our brother Jim. We miss him now, and we will continue to miss him. Husband, father, friend, fellow church member--Jim Stewart was someone we got to know, and we liked him, and now he won’t be around anymore to share our company. That hurts, and understandably so. Even when we had months to get ready for this week--we...

June 5, 2011Seventh Sunday of Easter Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Acts 1:12-14After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostlesreturned to Jerusalemfrom the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,a sabbath day’s journey away.When they entered the citythey went to the upper room where they were staying,Peter and John and James and Andrew,Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,and Judas son of James.All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,together with some women,and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.   Ps 27:1, 4, 7-8Responsorial Psalm R. (13) I believe that I...

The current Sunday arrangement has not been a great successIf I have a special wish for this time next year it must be that we will all be able to celebrate Ascension Thursday on the Thursday after the Sixth Sunday of Easter, and not on the Seventh Sunday, as at present. The current arrangement, which has been with us for five years, has not been a great success. It is true that more people have been going to Mass for the Ascension, because it is now on a Sunday, but this comes at a cost, namely a tinkering with the...

“Christ’s Ascending Is a Sending” (Luke 24:44-53)Today the church celebrates the Ascension of Our Lord. It was forty days after his resurrection that our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, and so this is the day--forty days after Easter, always on a Thursday in mid-to-late spring--when we have this festival. Now there are many things we could say about the Ascension, but tonight I want to focus on this: “Christ’s Ascending Is a Sending.” Christ’s ascending is a sending. What do I mean by that? I mean that when Jesus ascends into heaven, at that time he sends out his...

June 2, 2011Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Acts 1:1-11In the first book, Theophilus,I dealt with all that Jesus did and taughtuntil the day he was taken up,after giving instructions through the Holy Spiritto the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to themby many proofs after he had suffered,appearing to them during forty daysand speaking about the kingdom of God.While meeting with the them,he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for “the promise of the Fatherabout which you have heard me speak;for John baptized with water,but in a few days...

“Ascended and Still Present” (Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:15-23)Where is Jesus, and what is he doing? That’s a good question to ask on this Ascension Day. Where did Jesus go when he ascended, and what is he doing now? Alright, you say, I know the answer to that question--we just confessed it in the Creed: He “ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.” OK, fine, but what’s the big deal about that? Is that enough to have a whole special festival on it, that we have to come out and have church on a Thursday night?...

May 13, 2010 The Ascension of the LordReading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.  While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have...

One Ascension Day I was making final preparations for the Service in the upstairs workroom when I heard some fluent Pennsylvania Dutch coming from the Narthex. Knowing that the few of our members who “speachen zie deutsch” were not likely to arrive so early, I supposed that the Dutch was being spoken by a stranger. My supposition proved correct, for there, in the Narthex, was an Amishman complete with straw hat and chinwhiskers along with an “English” companion--his driver, I presumed. Steven Miller (an Amish convert) had returned to his family homestead and was showing his professor friend the churches...

“The Ascension Bridges the Past, the Present, and the Future” (Ephesians 1:15-23)The Ascension of Our Lord, which we are celebrating today--“The Ascension Bridges the Past, the Present, and the Future.” It connects the past, present, and future work of our Lord Jesus Christ. And because it does, our Lord’s Ascension has tremendous implications for us, for our past, present, and future. Our text is the Epistle, St. Paul’s prayer for us Christians, in which he brings together the past, present, and future aspects of Christ’s work and how that affects our past, our present, and our future. Let me read...

“Ascension Day, the Forgotten Festival” (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11)Welcome to the Forgotten Festival! Today is Ascension Day--or to put it more fully, the Festival of the Ascension of Our Lord. But there is reason to call it, as I say, the “Forgotten” Festival. Even though Ascension Day is classed in the church year as a major festival, and thus a day for to church to gather for the Divine Service of Word and Sacrament, the sad fact is that in recent decades many congregations and many Christians have forgotten all about celebrating this important festival. It used to be that...

In this PODCAzT we hear St. Leo’s (+461) second sermon on the Ascension, s. 74. This is an amazing piece of work. Also, I talk about angels and how there is an angelic battle being waged for your soul.

“Surely I Am Coming Soon” (Acts 1:1-11; Rev. 22:1-20)Take a look at the picture over our altar. Of course, it is a painting of the Ascension of Our Lord, when Jesus ascended into heaven. But if you didn’t know that, and you just look at Jesus there midway in the sky, you might wonder: Is he going up or is he coming down? It could be either, you know. For just as Jesus ascended into heaven on Ascension Day, so too will he come down from heaven when he returns in glory on the Last Day. That’s the point we...

One Ascension Day I was making final preparations for the Service in the upstairs workroom when I heard some fluent Pennsylvania Dutch coming from the Narthex. Knowing that the few of our members who “speachen zie deutsch” were not likely to arrive so early, I supposed that the Dutch was being spoken by a stranger. My supposition proved correct, for there, in the Narthex, was an Amishman complete with straw hat and chinwhiskers along with an “English” companion--his driver, I presumed. Steven Miller (an Amish convert) had returned to his family homestead and was showing his professor friend the churches...

May 28, 2006 Seventh Sunday of Easter Psalm: Sunday 23 Reading 1Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26 Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers-- there was a group of about one hundred and twenty personsin the one place .-.He said, “My brothers,the Scripture had to be fulfilledwhich the Holy Spirit spoke beforehandthrough the mouth of David, concerning Judas,who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus.He was numbered among usand was allotted a share in this ministry. “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:May another take his office. “Therefore, it is necessary that one of the menwho accompanied...

"Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God "Father" and to share in Christ's grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory." - St. Basil, De Spiritu Sancto The Holy Spirit Questions & Answers The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (General) The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Charismatic Gifts Saint Ambrose Saint Basil Saint Augustine Dom Marmion Come, Holy SpiritLitany of the Holy Spirit Novena to the Holy Spirit Novena to the Holy Spirit for the...

May 25, 2006 Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Psalm: Thursday 22 Reading 1Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus,I dealt with all that Jesus did and taughtuntil the day he was taken up,after giving instructions through the Holy Spiritto the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to themby many proofs after he had suffered,appearing to them during forty daysand speaking about the kingdom of God.While meeting with them,he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for “the promise of the Fatherabout which you have heard me speak;for John baptized with water,but in a few...

Holy Days of Obligation, Or Holy Days of Opportunity Holy days are usually regarded in terms of obligation and imposition. But should they not be considered even more as graced times of opportunity to mark a special mystery of our faith? In recent years, holy days have come in for a good deal of discussion, evaluation and renewal. As early as the fourth century, St. John Chrysostom was concerned about the celebration of holy days in Constantinople. This Father and Doctor of the Church commented in a homily that "many people celebrate the holy days and know their names: but...

May 8, 2005Seventh Sunday of Easter Psalm: Sunday 22 Reading IActs 1:12-14 After Jesus had been taken up to heaventhe apostles returned to Jerusalemfrom the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem,a sabbath day's journey away. When they entered the citythey went to the upper room where they were staying,Peter and John and James and Andrew,Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew,James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot,and Judas son of James.All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer,together with some women,and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. Responsorial PsalmPs 27:1, 4, 7-8 R. (13) I believe that...

1962 Sunday Missal Mass Readings/Propers for Sunday After the Ascension   Colors:  White   INTROIT  Psalms 26: 7-9 Hear, O Lord, my voice with which I have cried to Thee, alleluia; my heart hath said to Thee, I have sought Thy face, Thy face, O Lord, I will seek: turn not away Thy face from me, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 26. 1). The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- Hear, O Lord, my voice with which I have cried . . .   COLLECT...

May 5, 2005The Ascension of the Lord Psalm: Thursday 21 Reading IActs 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus,I dealt with all that Jesus did and taughtuntil the day he was taken up,after giving instructions through the Holy Spiritto the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to themby many proofs after he had suffered,appearing to them during forty daysand speaking about the kingdom of God.While meeting with the them,he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for "the promise of the Fatherabout which you have heard me speak;for John baptized with water,but in a few days you...

INSTRUCTION ON THE FESTIVAL OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD At the Introit the Church sings the words which were spoken by the angels to the apostles and disciples, after the Ascension of our Lord: INTROIT Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? allel.: He shall so come as you have seen him going up into heaven. Allel., allel., allel. (Acts I. 11.), Oh, clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God with the voice of joy. (Ps. XLVI. 2.) Glory be to the Father, etc. COLLECT Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that...

Praised be the Lord, for He took captivity captive! Today, the Church commemorates the Ascension of the Lord to heaven. Yet, there's something we should know: Jesus, even when He walked among us, was in Heaven, and although the disciples saw Him return there, He still here! That's not my insight, by any means, but the words from St. Augustine's sermon for this holy day, as read in today's Office of Readings: Why do we on earth not strive to find rest with him in heaven even now, through the faith, hope and love that unites us to him? While...

NEW ORLEANS -- A former East Ascension High School principal acted in an "objectively reasonable" manner in recommending that a student be expelled in 2001 for drawing a picture two years earlier depicting the school soaked in gasoline and surrounded by students armed with guns, a torch and a missile, a federal appellate court ruled. A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed U.S. District Judge Frank Polozola's dismissal of a lawsuit that the student and his family filed against the Ascension Parish School Board and various administrators. But the panel said Polozola erred in finding...

May 23, 2004 Seventh Sunday of Easter Psalm: Sunday 24 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel Reading IActs 7:55-60 Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and Stephen said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down...

May 20, 2004 Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord Psalm: Thursday 23 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel Reading IActs 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait...

The fortieth day after Easter Sunday, commemorating the Ascension of Christ into heaven, according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2. In the Eastern Church this feast was known as analepsis, the taking up, and also as the episozomene, the salvation, denoting that by ascending into His glory Christ completed the work of our redemption. The terms used in the West, ascensio and, occasionally, ascensa, signify that Christ was raised up by His own powers. Tradition designates Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where Christ left the earth. The feast falls on Thursday. It is one of the...

June 1, 2003The Ascension of the Lord Psalm: Sunday Week 25 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel Reading IActs 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus,I dealt with all that Jesus did and taughtuntil the day he was taken up,after giving instructions through the Holy Spiritto the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to themby many proofs after he had suffered,appearing to them during forty daysand speaking about the kingdom of God.While meeting with them,he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for "the promise of the Fatherabout which you have heard me speak;for John baptized...

May 29, 2003The Ascension of the Lord Psalm: Thursday Week 24 Reading I Responsorial Psalm Reading II Gospel Reading IActs 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus,I dealt with all that Jesus did and taughtuntil the day he was taken up,after giving instructions through the Holy Spiritto the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to themby many proofs after he had suffered,appearing to them during forty daysand speaking about the kingdom of God.While meeting with them,he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for "the promise of the Fatherabout which you have heard me speak;for John baptized...

The Ascension of Christ and His Glorified Existence by Fr. William G. MostForty days after his Resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. During this period between his Resurrection and Ascension, He actually gave the primacy He had promised to Peter, as we read in John 21. The many events between His resurrection and ascension preclude the theory that He ascended on Easter. His ascension does not mean that heaven is somewhere up in space. This was a way of making clear that He was leaving the present mode of existence. St. Paul in Colossians 3:1 urges us to live our lives...