Feast of the Ascension Gospel B

Jesus said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

· This commissioning was not just for the apostles but also for all those who are baptized and confirmed. What are we doing to proclaim the good news of God’s love to others?

 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 

· How conscious and grateful are we of the gift of baptism and what are we doing to deepen God’s life within us?

These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 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." 

· Some of these signs and wonders were the very ones that became credentials validating the word and ministry of Jesus. Jesus himself said that those who believe in him would do the works he did and greater ones. (Jn 14:12).

· Am I open to the Lord working through me in the gifts of the Spirit referred to by Jesus as part of the proclamation?

· What manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit have I seen already in my life?

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. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

· Do you think that what Jesus commanded and promised was only for the early Church or is meant to be the norm even today? How open are we for this to happen in our lives?

· Pray that the Holy Spirit, given to you in Baptism and Confirmation, will stir up once more his gifts within you, beginning with the gift of sharing your faith with others.