Ascension Day (Year A)
First Reading - Acts 1.3-11
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
After his suffering
and death,
Jesus
presented himself alive
to the apostles,
with many
convincing proofs,
appearing to them
during forty days,
and speaking
of the kingdom of God.
Jesus said to them,
‘Do not
leave Jerusalem,
but wait here
for all that is promised
by the Father.
John baptised with water,
but you will be
baptised
with the Holy Spirit
not many days from now.’
The apostles
asked Jesus, ‘Lord, is this the time
when you will restore
the kingdom of Israel?’
Jesus replied, ‘You cannot know
every time or season
in the purposes
of the Father.
But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit
comes upon you.
And you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, in all Judea,
in Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.’
Then, as they were watching,
he was taken up,
and a cloud
hid him
from their sight.
And as they looked intently
into the sky,
two figures in white robes appeared,
saying, ‘Men of Galilee,
why do you stand here
looking into the sky?
This Jesus
has been
taken up
from you
into heaven,
and will return
in the same way
you saw him go.’
This is the word of the Lord.
Second Reading - Hebrews 7.23-28
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
The former high priests
were many in number,
because they were prevented by death
from continuing in office.
But Jesus lives for ever,
and his priesthood
does not
come to an end.
He is able to intercede, for all time,
on behalf of those who
approach God
through him.
He is holy,
righteous,
undefiled;
set apart now
from sinners,
exalted
above the heavens.
The former high priests
offered sacrifices
day after day,
for their own sins
and for the sins of the people;
but Jesus offered himself,
once for all.
The old law
appointed
high priests who were
subject to human weakness;
but the new law
appoints
a Son, who is
made perfect
for ever.
This is the word of the Lord.
Gospel - Matthew 28.16-20
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to Matthew.
The eleven disciples went
to the mountain in Galilee,
as Jesus had directed them.
When the disciples saw Jesus there,
one by one, they bowed down
and worshipped him.
Jesus said, ‘All authority
in heaven and on earth
has been given to me.
Go therefore, and make disciples
of all nations,
baptising them
in the name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them
all that I have commanded you.
And know
that I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord.