It is Christ Jesus, who died, was raised
and who is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us! –Cf. Romans 8:34
Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations
— remember, I am with you always
to the end of the age.” –Matthew 28:19A-20B
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when He was taken up to Heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the Apostles whom He had chosen. After His suffering (passion and death on the Cross) He presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the Kingdom of God. While staying with them, He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” He said, “is what you have heard from Me, for John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (See: Luke 24:49; John 14:16)
The Ascension of Jesus!
So when they had come together, they (Apostles) asked Him, ‘Lord, is this the time You will restore the Kingdom of Israel?’ Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” When Jesus had said this, as they were watching, He was lifted up and a cloud took Him out of their sight. While Jesus was going and they were gazing up toward Heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward Heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into Heaven.’ –Acts 1:1-11
St. Paul’s Prayer
Brothers and Sisters: “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the Saints and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance among the Saints and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power for us who believe, according to the working of His great power. God put this power to work in Christ Jesus when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the Heavenly places, far above all rule, authority, power and dominion, above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come and He has put all things under His (Jesus’) feet and has made Him the head over all things for the Church, which is His Body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Amen! –Ephesians 1:15-23
Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Ascension of the Lord, Visit: -USCCB
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