Hymns for Mass – Press Here

FIRST READING (As the Apostles were looking on, Jesus was lifted up.)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (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 heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” —The Word of the Lord.

1. Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM (47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9)

1. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. (Ps 47:6)

Or Alleluia.

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. (R)

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. (R)

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (R)

SECOND READING (God seated Jesus at his right hand in the heavens.)

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (1:17-23)

Brothers and sisters: May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things beneath Christ’s feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. —The Word of the Lord.

1. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Mt 28:19a, 20b)

1. Alleluia, alleluia.

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world. (R)

GOSPEL (All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.)

A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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.” —The Gospel of the Lord.

1. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayers

Celebrant:  When the risen Saviour ascended into heaven, angels reminded his disciples that he would come back again. Until he comes, we continue his work by praying for all peoples and their needs.

READER: That the Church on earth will ever keep to its evangelical mission of making disciples of all nations, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That the leaders of the word of nations may realize their accountability before the Lord who will judge all at the end of time, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That no one will be so attached to the material things of the earth as to regret being called to eternal life before the throne of God most high, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: That we may all come to maturity of faith in the fullness of the risen Christ, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

READER: For the sick, those who mourn, and for the faithful departed, as well as for the prayers we carry in our hearts this day, (Pause) LET US PRAY TO THE LORD.

CELEBRANT: Father in heaven, your Son is now seated at your right hand, enthroned in eternal glory. We make our petitions in confidence through Him who lives and reigns for ever and ever, (all) AMEN.