Ascension of the Lord Issue
Forty days after Easter Sunday is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord celebrating Christ’s ascension into heaven recounted in Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, John Acts 1:6-12. There are a number of Ascension activities that you can do with your family at home and from various websites.
Christ’s Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain. Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church 665-667).
| My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” | This Week’s Gospel John 13: 34-35
In this Gospel, Jesus gives his followers a new commandment—to love one another as he has loved us. He lets us all know that the way others will know that we follow Jesus is by the love we show to others. Your child has learned the power of words to put people down or to build them up. They also have learned that being a good friend to others is a way to keep Jesus’ commandment to love one another. Spend some time talking about your family’s friends and the importance of friendship for your family. Also ask your child to share what he or she learned about the Acts of the Apostles. Have each member of the family express what Jesus’ commandment to love one another means to him or her. Your child learns to love by watching you. Your own loving, forgiving, and including words and actions will be remembers by your child as he or she grows up. |
| Pray Together
As an evening prayer, reread this Sunday’s Gospel about loving one another as Christ has loved you. Take turns praying in your own words for people who need your love. After everyone has had at least one turn, pray together the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. Make a promise to help one another be a more loving and caring family. |
Downloads
Ascension 2016
Click on the images for bigger versions
Resources
Pflaum – The Gospel At Home
Real Life At Home