Sunday, May 12, 2013

A Little Something Extra...The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

A Prayer for Ascension 

Jesus remained with His disciples for forty days after His Resurrection, appearing to them and speaking about the Kingdom of God. He proved to them that He was alive. He had conquered death. 

Lord, give us the grace to live in the Kingdom of God right now and for all eternity. Conquer death in us that we may be alive with You. Open our hearts to Your teaching, and give us faith in Your Resurrection. 

Before His ascension into Heaven, Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem, for they would receive a great gift, the power from on high, the Holy Spirit. 

Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit upon us. Open our hearts to receive Him. 

The disciples asked Jesus if He was going to restore the Kingdom of Israel now. He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by His own authority.” 

Lord, adjust our vision that we may understand the depths of Your Kingdom. Help us to look beyond our human limits to catch a glimpse of Your plan, and when we can't see, give us the grace to embrace the mystery.

Jesus told the disciples that they would be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. 

Lord, may we always be Your witnesses in our words and actions. 

Jesus blessed His disciples. He was then lifted up, and a cloud took Him from their sight. 

Lord, bless us always, and give us the grace to trust that even when we cannot see You, You are present with us. 

After Jesus was taken up, the disciples stood there, staring at the sky. Then two men in white appeared beside them and 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.” 

Lord, help us know when to be still and when to act. Assure us once again of Your promise that You will return someday. 

The disciples returned to Jerusalem where they were always in the temple, praising God. 

Lord, give us a spirit of praise that we may worship You constantly in spirit and truth and joy. 

Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father, but He is not separated from us. In fact, He is closer than ever, for He comes to us, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in the Eucharist. 

Lord, may we always receive You in the Eucharist with reverence, devotion, humility, and gratitude. As we welcome You into our bodies and into our hearts and souls, fill us with Your love and Your life, You Who are our Risen Lord, ascended into Heaven. Amen.

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