as instructed.

1. Welcome to our
Bible Study
Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord
17 May 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr Cielo Almazan, OFM

2. 1st reading: Acts 1:1-11
 1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and
taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to
heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the
apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented
himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them
during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While
staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to
wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you
have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when
they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when
you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you
to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own
authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this,
as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of
their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward
heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They
said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?
This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come
in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

3. 1st reading: Acts 1:1-11
 1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and
taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to
heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the
apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented
himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them
during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While
staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to
wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you
have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be
baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when
they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when
you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you
to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own
authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9 When he had said this,
as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of
their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward
heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They
said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?
This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come
in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
WefocusontheascensionofJesus.

4. 1st reading: Acts 1:1-11
Luke’s Story of Jesus from his ministry to his ascension
 1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the
beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions
through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he
presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during
forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
Jesus’ command to wait for the Holy Spirit
 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there
for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; 5 for
John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days
from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time
when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the
times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Luke’s description of Jesus’ ascension and the apostles’ gaze and the
message of the angels
 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him
out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven,
suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why
do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you
into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
A Simple Outline

5. 1st reading: Acts 1:1-11
Luke’s Story of Jesus from his
ministry to his ascension
 1 In the first book, Theophilus,
I wrote about all that Jesus did
and taught from the beginning
2 until the day when he was
taken up to heaven, after
giving instructions through the
Holy Spirit to the apostles
whom he had chosen. 3 After
his suffering, he presented
himself alive to them by many
convincing proofs, appearing
to them during forty days and
speaking about the kingdom
of God.
Commentary
 In v.1, Luke, the author, recalls the
story of Jesus in the first book, the
first gospel, he has written.
 Luke writes to the same addressee,
Theophilus (not a man on the streets,
but someone who is learned, cultured
or who can reproduce copies for other
communities)
 In vv.1-2, Luke reminds Theophilus
about the works and teachings of
Jesus from his baptism to his
ascension.
 In v.2, Luke says that Jesus
ascended into heaven after he has
given instructions.
 V.3 tells of Jesus’ appearances and
his preachings of the kingdom of
God, after he suffered (and died).

6. 1st reading: Acts 1:1-11
Jesus’ command to wait for the
Holy Spirit
 4 While staying with them, he
ordered them not to leave
Jerusalem, but to wait there for the
promise of the Father. "This," he
said, "is what you have heard from
me; 5 for John baptized with
water, but you will be baptized with
the Holy Spirit not many days from
now." 6 So when they had come
together, they asked him, "Lord, is
this the time when you will restore
the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He
replied, "It is not for you to know
the times or periods that the Father
has set by his own authority. 8 But
you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem, in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth."
 V.4 indicates that Jesus stays
with the apostles.
 The apostles are told to stay in
Jerusalem and wait for the
promise (Holy Spirit).
 V.5 indicates that the apostles
will be baptized (meaning, will
receive the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost).
 In v.6, the disciples asks Jesus
if their reception of the Holy
Spirit signals the restoration of
Israel.
 In v.7, Jesus answers.
 V.8 repeats v.5.
 Jesus assigns them to be his
witnesses in all of Israel and
the whole world.

7. 1st reading: Acts 1:1-11
Luke’s description of
Jesus’ ascension and
the apostles’ gaze and
the message of the
angels
 9 When he had said this, as
they were watching, he was
lifted up, and a cloud took him
out of their sight. 10 While he
was going and they were
gazing up toward heaven,
suddenly two men in white
robes stood by them. 11 They
said, "Men of Galilee, why do
you stand looking up toward
heaven? This Jesus, who has
been taken up from you into
heaven, will come in the same
way as you saw him go into
heaven."
 In v.9, Jesus ascends into heaven.
 In v.10, two men (angels) appear to
them.
 In v.11, the two men ask a question
why the apostles are looking up to
heaven.
 They said that Jesus will descend in
the same way he ascends into
heaven.

8. Reflections on the 1st reading
 The ascension is not just the fact of Jesus
going up to heaven.
 For the apostles, it is the start of the waiting for
the Holy Spirit to come to them, that they may
become Jesus’ witnesses all over the world,
not just in Israel.
 Now the apostles will go global.
 Gone will be the days when they will only
operate within the confines of Israel.
 The ascension of Jesus should teach us to
widen our horizons.

9. Resp. Psalm: Ps 47:2-3. 6-7. 8-9
 R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of
trumpets for the Lord.
 All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
 God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
 For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.

10. Resp. Psalm: Ps 47:2-3. 6-7. 8-9
 R. (6) God mounts his throne to
shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets
for the Lord.
 2 All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
3 For the LORD, the Most High, the
awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
 6 God mounts his throne amid
shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
7 Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
 8 For king of all the earth is God;
sing hymns of praise.
9 God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
Commentary
 The psalm is classified as a royal
psalm.
 It is about God sitting on his throne.
 By the psalm, we are led to believe
that Jesus who is God now sits on
his throne. It is a big event. It is not
a casual sitting down.
 In v.2, the psalmist addresses all
the peoples to rejoice (clap your
hands, sing with cries of gladness).
 V.3 gives the reason why: God is
the great king…
 In v.6, God does not simply and
quietly sits down on his throne, but
people are to render shouts of joy
and trumpet blasts.
 In v.7, the psalmist exhorts people
to sing praise to the king…
 Vv.8-9 also gives the reason for
singing.

11. Reflections on the Psalm
 Jesus’ ascension and sitting on his throne call for
a celebration.
 On his ascension, we also recognize Christ as
king, taking his post as the ruler of the universe.
 We cannot but celebrate with rejoicing.
 We Christians are enjoined to celebrate Christ’s
victory over all.
 We should make holy noise, for the whole world
to hear.
 We communicate our Christian message by our
joyful and inspiring celebrations.

12. 2nd Reading: Eph 4:1-7.11-13
 1 I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner
worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another
through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as
you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the
measure of Christ's gift. 11 And he gave some as apostles,
others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as
pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the
work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until
we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son
of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature
of Christ.

13. 2nd Reading: Eph 4:1-7.11-13
 1 I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner
worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and
gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another
through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as
you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the
measure of Christ's gift. 11 And he gave some as apostles,
others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as
pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the
work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until
we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son
of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature
of Christ.
The focus is on living Christian lives worthily.

14. 2nd Reading: Eph 4:1-7.11-13
 1 I, a prisoner for the
Lord, urge you to live
in a manner worthy of
the call you have
received, 2 with all
humility and
gentleness, with
patience, bearing with
one another through
love, 3 striving to
preserve the unity of
the spirit through the
bond of peace: 4 one
body and one Spirit,
as you were also
called to the one hope
of your call; 5 one
Lord, one faith, one
baptism; 6 one God
and Father of all, who
is over all and through
all and in all.

Commentary
 In v.1, Paul, supposedly the author, is in prison.
 Paul urges Christians to exhibit a behavior that
befits their Christian calling (vocation).
 V.2 enumerates what these behaviors are:
 Humility (not insisting on one’s ego)
 Gentleness (treating people with delicadeza)
 Patience (ability to tolerate mistakes or
shortcomings without flaring up)
 Bearing with one another (ability to endure other’s
excesses and failures)
 V.3 also ask Christians to preserve unity in spirit
(in vision, in purpose).
 No Christian should divide the community by
his/her misbehavior.
 V.3 also mentions the way to preserve unity:
through the bond of peace.
 Bond of peace means Christians are enjoined to
preserve peace by being peaceable at all cost.

15. 2nd Reading: Eph 4:1-7.11-13
 7 But grace was given
to each of us according
to the measure of
Christ's gift. 11 And he
gave some as apostles,
others as prophets,
others as evangelists,
others as pastors and
teachers, 12 to equip
the holy ones for the
work of ministry, for
building up the body of
Christ, 13 until we all
attain to the unity of
faith and knowledge of
the Son of God, to
mature manhood, to the
extent of the full stature
of Christ.
Commentary
 V.4 gives reason why we have to be united:
 We belong to one body and one Spirit.
 We have one hope (destiny, heaven).
 V.5 gives another reason for unity:
 We have one Lord, one faith
 We receive one baptism
 V.6 adds another reason:
 We have one God and Father.
 V.7 talks about our giftedness. No one is not gifted by
Christ.
 V.11 enumerates the gifts of vocation:
 Apostles (like the 12 apostles)
 Prophets (those who speak on behalf of God)
 Evangelists (those who write or proclaim the gospel)
 Pastors (leaders of the churches, shepherds)
 Teachers (catechists, theology professors)
 In v.12, the holy ones seem to be the ones who are
assigned to build up the church (these are active
church members).
 V.13 intimates that all of these offices will function
until we become united in faith and knowledge of
Jesus and we become fully mature in Christ.

16. Reflections on the 2nd reading
 God wills unity in the Church.
 Unity does not mean we are doing the same things.
 God has given us different assignments.
 He has called each of us to perform well for the
betterment of the Church.
 God asks us to respect the gifts he has given us.
 Let us prove to be worthy of those gifts and calling.
 We cannot afford to squander them.
 We are not putting them into use if we are the source of
division in our communities, if we are hampering their
development by our frequent absences or indifference
and by not doing our homework.
 We just shamelessly enjoy the titles of being president,
chairman, head, etc.

17. Gospel: Mk 16:15-20
 15 Jesus said to his disciples, "Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not
believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will
accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive
out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 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." 19 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. 20 But they
went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord
worked with them and confirmed the word through
accompanying signs.

18. Gospel: Mk 16:15-20
 15 Jesus said to his disciples, "Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not
believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will
accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive
out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 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." 19 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. 20 But they
went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord
worked with them and confirmed the word through
accompanying signs.
The focus is on the ascension of Jesus.

19. Gospel: Mk 16:15-20
Mission Sending
 15 Jesus said to his disciples, "Go into the whole world and proclaim
the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17
These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will
drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 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."
Ascension
 19 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.
Mission in Action
 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord
worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying
signs.
A simple outline!

20. Gospel: Mk 16:15-20
Mission Sending
 15 Jesus said to his discples, "Go
into the whole world and proclaim the
gospel to every creature. 16
Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved; whoever does not
believe will be condemned. 17
These signs will accompany those
who believe: in my name they will
drive out demons, they will speak
new languages. 18 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."
Ascension
 19 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.
Mission in Action
 20 But they went forth and preached
everywhere, while the Lord worked
with them and confirmed the word
through accompanying signs.
Commentary:
 Scholars believe Mark ends in 16,8.
 Our reading is not in the original gospel
of Mark.
 Well, we still entertain it because it is
accepted in the canon.
 The Christian churches preserved this
reading in their liturgies; they found it
helpful for their churches. It did not
constitute a threat to their faith. It
enhanced the gospel of Mark. If it were
not there, they would feel something
was lacking
 As in the 1st and 2nd readings, the idea
of ascension takes a few words only.
 We find more words about the
commissioning of the apostles, about
their mission.
 It is clear by now that we cannot
discuss the mystery of the ascension
without the mission of the apostles and
the church.

21. Reflections on the gospel reading
 The 11 apostles, to be true to their name, must be
sent (apostellein means to send).
 They are sent by the resurrected and soon-to-
ascend,Jesus.
 To be a follower (or believer) of Jesus, one must
work for the salvation of mankind (by preaching,
baptizing, exorcizing, speaking in tongues, being
unharmed, by healing).
 With the physical absence of Jesus, Christians
should make Jesus present in the world.

22. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 Before ascending, Jesus instructs his apostles
to wait for the Holy Spirit and then do their
mission (1st reading)
 Right before ascending, Jesus commands his
apostles to preach, baptize, etc. for the
salvation of mankind. The apostles obey (gospel
reading)
 Long after Jesus’ ascension, Paul instructs the
brethren to promote unity among themselves.
(2nd reading)
 The psalm commands us to celebrate the
ascension of Jesus, seating on his throne like
his Father. (Psalm)

23. How to develop your homily/sharing
 What is the meaning of the ascension of our
Lord?
 We get the meaning from the readings and
from the psalm.
 Let us not waste time trying to explain
scientifically how Jesus went up to heaven,
going above the clouds.
 We will never get a satisfactory answer.
 We should be more interested in the
meaning of the story of his ascension.

24.  Based on the gospel reading, for Jesus, it
is about giving final instructions to his
apostles.
 He instructs them to proclaim the gospel to
every creature.
 He assures salvation to those who believe in
their preaching.
 It is, most of all, about his going up into
heaven and seating at the right hand of
the Father.
 For the disciples, it is the execution of his
instructions to proclaim the gospel to all…

25.  Based on the first reading, the period between
the Ascension and the Pentecost is a time of
waiting for the Holy Spirit.
 The apostles cannot do their mission without
receiving first the Holy Spirit.
 The Acts of the Apostles adds this important
detail after the ascension of Jesus.
 It also clarifies their mistaken notion that Jesus
is a political messiah. He will not restore Israel
from their point of view.
 His Ascension brings out a promise that Jesus is
coming back, in the same manner that he is
going up to heaven.

26.  The second reading does not directly talk
about the Ascension of Jesus.
 Instead, the author gives instructions on how to
promote or maintain unity in the midst of their
diverse gifts and positions in the community.
 Christian discipleship is not only proclaiming
the gospel to all nations, but also maintaining
order and harmony in the Church.
 It would be unbecoming of a Christian if she /
he does not make use of her / his gifts to help
others grow into Christian maturity.

27.  The responsorial psalm celebrates God taking
his seat upon his throne.
 Since we believe Jesus is also God, with the
psalm, we can also rejoice with thundering praise
at his Ascension and his seating at the right hand
of the Father.
 We do not let go of this big event unnoticed.
 This is the way to witness that truly Christ is the
Son of God, the king, going back to his seat
which was “vacated” due to his incarnation.

28.  The Ascension of Jesus should make our vision
more horizontally than vertically oriented.
 We Christians should now be heavily involved
with our mission of proclaiming the gospel, etc.
 But how much of our time are we wasting doing
nothing in our churches and premises, rather
than searching for the lost souls outside the
church?
 There should be more personal or group
activity outside the church than inside the
church in terms of evangelization.
 There are always masses and sacraments in
the church, but they should not be an excuse
for us, Christians, not to get involved with the
people’s struggles outside.

29.  The eucharist is the sign of Jesus’ presence to us
especially after his ascension.
 The eucharist is the sacrament of Christian unity.
 We come home to the eucharist after we have
done our mission outside the church.
 We bring people to the eucharist, after we have
taught them how to live our faith.
 Reception of the eucharist is the peak of our joyful
celebration, without which our participation will be
incomplete.

30. Our Context
 Nominal Christians
(Christians in name only,
Christians without sense of
mission)
 Misguided Christians, more
time inside the church than
outside.
 Excessive love for
positions, without
corresponding actions
 Strong missionary spirit
 Integral evangelization,
JPIC
 New evangelization
 Catechism
 Liturgical celebrations
with skilled musicians
http://olasianofm.googlepages.com/home

31. Suggested Songs
 Go Tell Everyone
 Peace I Leave with You
 There is One Lord by Lucien Deiss
 Follow Christ by Sebastian Temple