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

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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. 

Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.

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