'You will be my witnesses . . .' Sunday Reflections, Ascension, Year C

The Ascension of Christ

Rembrandt [Web Gallery of Art]

Ascension, Year C

The Ascension is celebrated on Ascension Thursday, 26 May, in England & Wales, Scotland. In the USA it is celebrated on Ascension Thursday in the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, Philadelphia, elsewhere on Sunday 29 May. In all of these areas Ascension Thursday is a Holyday of Obligation.

The Ascension is observed on Sunday, 29 May, in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Philippines.

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: England & Wales, India, Scotland) 

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Luke 24:46-53 (English Standard Version Anglicised)  

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.’

And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the Temple blessing God.

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

Christ the Saviour

El Greco [Web Gallery of Art]

Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 

These are from the closing words of St Luke's Gospel, read today. The First Reading is the opening words of the Acts of the Apostles, written by St Luke and the continuation of his gospel. It also describes the Ascension and gives us these words of Jesus: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 

Jesus sends us to the ends of the earth to proclaim his name, to proclaim forgiveness of sins for those who repent when they hear the Good News of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our mission is not to be 'nice' to everyone, not to be 'good' but to be witnesses to Jesus the Risen Lord by the lives we lead.

The Church celebrated the feast of St Bernardine of Siena (1380 - 1444), a Franciscan friar who promoted devotion to the name of Jesus, on 20 May. There is an extract from one of his homilies in the Office of Readings in the Breviary on his feast day. The saint said, Hence this name must not be hidden. But when it is preached if must not be proclaimed by an impure heart or an unclean mouth, but it must be kept safe and handed on in a chosen vessel.

Further on St Bernardine speaks about St Paul in these words: For he carried the name of Jesus around by his words, his letters, his miracles and his example. He praised Jesus' name without ceasing, and gave glory to it with thanksgiving.

May those words be said of each of us.

Antiphona ad introitum  Entrance Antiphon Acts 1:11

Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini aspicientes in caelum? [alleluia].

Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? [Alleluia].

Quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentem in caelum, ita veniet, alleluia [alleluia, alleluia].

This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia [alleluia, alleluia].

Traditional Latin Mass

The Ascension of the Lord

The Complete Mass in Latin and English is here. (Adjust the date at the top of that page to 05-22-2025 if necessary).

Lesson: Acts 1:1-11. Gospel: Mark 16: 14-20.

Ascension Cupola

Italian Mosaic Artist [Web Gallery of Art]

[Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation’ (Mark 16:15; Gospel).