Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord: Year B – May 13, 2021.
Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3,6-7,8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23, 22-23 & Gospel Mark 11:15-20.
Theme: Ascension: The Exceptional Goodbye
“Goodbye’s the saddest word I’ll ever hear. Goodbye’s the last time I will hold you near. Someday you’ll say that word and I will cry. It’ll break my heart to hear you say goodbye” – Celine Dion
Sunday Synopsis
The first reading narrates how Jesus ascended into heaven after empowering his disciples to preach the good news. In the second reading, St. Paul implores us to lead a life worthy of our vocation by building up the body of Christ through the unity of the spirit. In the gospel, St. Mark gives us his version of the Great Commission with the assurance of Jesus that signs and wonders would be associated with believers. Ascension Thursday invites us to lift others up even as we look towards heaven where every good gift comes from.