The gospel story of Our Lord’s Ascension into heaven is the last of the Resurrection appearances. We should be sure we understand what we are talking about here. The Resurrection of Christ is not about a dead body getting up and walking about. It was an appearance of the risen transcendent Body of Christ as he is in heaven.
Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 12, 2013 (AscensionC)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University
Sunday Readings (Seventh Sunday Easter C)
Sunday Readings (Ascension Sunday)
Lecturas y Comentarios
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: "Are you a Christian?"
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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 1, Verses 1-11 (Ascension)
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 7, Verses 55-60 (Seventh Sunday)
1. What are the parallels between Stephen and Jesus? What made Stephen able to witness with his blood? Have you ever received a grace to do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do? Discuss times when you have seen this kind of thing happen.
2. What does “witness to the ends of the earth” mean to you? Do you “witness” in any way? Do people today witness anything “to the ends of the earth”? What?
Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9 (Ascension Sunday)
Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9 (Seventh Sunday)
1. As per the Psalm and the readings this week, our Lord has been raised up so high above us, how do you reach Him, how do you build a personal relationship with Him?
2. The psalmist encourages us to clap our hands, and shout to God with cries of gladness, because God mounts His throne. Speak of how you are raised up with our Lord Jesus, as He ascends to sit at the right hand of the Father.
Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians Chapter 1, Verses 17-23 (Ascension)
Book of Revelation, Chapter 22, Verses 12-14, 16-17, 20 (Seventh Sunday)
1. We do not yet experience Christ’s coming completely even though he comes to us in the sacraments and word. Think of some times or instances in your life where an appropriate plea to God would be, “Come, Lord Jesus”.
2. How does Christ’s sacrifice differ from “the high priest’s, (who) enters the sanctuary each year with blood that is not his own”?
Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 24, Verses Luke 46-53 (Ascension)
According to John, Chapter 17, Verses 20-26 (Seventh Sunday)
1. What was the promise of the Father that Jesus spoke of? Who brings Jesus’ message and mission to completion in us and in the world? The Holy Spirit? Do you listen for the Spirit’s message to you personally?
2. Jesus actually said of the disciples, “Father, they are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they also may be with me.” Are there people you think of as “gifts” to you? How can we reside with Jesus now that he is in heaven? Is there a way in which you reside with him? Who else does?
Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.
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