7th Sunday: Acts 1:12-14
Ascension: Acts 1:1-11
1. (Ascension:) Jesus said to his apostles that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. They would be his witnesses unto the ends of the earth. On whom did the disciples depend for understanding what that meant for them? Did they understand right away or did it take some time? On whom do you depend for spiritual understanding?
2. (7th Sunday:) While they waited for the Holy Spirit they prayed together.* Did you receive the Holy Spirit at Confirmation? Once for all time? Or is the Holy Spirit dynamic and new always? Do you pray alone and together with others that the Holy Spirit will illuminate the minds of scientists searching for an effective vaccine to overcome the virus?
Second Reading
7th Sunday: 1 Peter 4:13-16
Ascension: Ephesians 1:17-23
1. (Ascension:) If the “eyes of your hearts be enlightened” what might they see? People suffering? The good that people are doing to relieve suffering? Would some of the goodness we see be related to “the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way”?
2. (7th Sunday:) If you had your choice would you avoid all suffering? The Holy Spirit is sometimes called the Comforter. How does the Spirit comfort you, if you suffer? Do you let such comfort come in? Is there some way you can add consolation to someone’s life in this pandemic?
Gospel
7th Sunday: John 17:1-11a
Ascension: Matthew 28:16-20
1. (Ascension:) “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Jesus said this after telling the eleven to make disciples of all nations. Discuss what Pope Francis said about that:
He is with God the Father, where he always intercedes in our favor. Jesus is no longer in a definite place in the world as he was before the Ascension. He is now in the lordship of God, present in all space and time, next to each of us. In our life we are never alone: we have this Advocate who awaits us, who defends us.
General Audience, St. Peter’s Square,
April 17, 2013, paragraph 5
2. (7th Sunday:) The Father entrusted the good news of salvation to Jesus and he in turn entrusted it to his disciples. What are the implications for you?
