Daily Prayers

Prayer is Love, I want to Love

Jesus’ Last Words And Ascension

Jesus’ Life: Chapter 19 – The Resurrection Of Jesus

Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to his Apostles and took them to a place near Bethany, close to the Mount of Olives. Perhaps, they had all previously frequented it or it was a place that Jesus often retired to for solidarity prayer to His Father in Heaven!

Jesus ascends above the heads of the Apostles

Prior to this, his final appearance, Jesus had instructed the Apostles on their new ministry saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you”. (Matthew 28:19-20) Now, he told them to return to Jerusalem and, “Wait for what the Father had promised,” the descent of the Holy Spirit. There, he said, “[You] will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now”. (Acts 1:5)

When the Apostles asked Jesus, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus answered, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth”. (Acts 1:7-8)

Chapel built on the spot where it is believed Jesus ascended to Heaven

After Jesus had said these things “He lifted up his hands” and “blessed them” (Luke 20:50) and as they looked on, “He was lifted up… and a cloud received Him out of their sight”. (Acts 1:9)

Still gazing intently into the sky, “Two men in white clothing stood beside them”. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven”. (Acts 1:10-11)

[Footnote: Today, a Chapel stands at the spot where Jesus is believed to have ascended. During a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 326, St Helena identified two spots, one where Jesus ascended to Heaven and another where He taught The Lord’s Prayer to the Apostles. On her return to Rome, she ordered two shrines to be built.] 

(Mark 16:15-19; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:1-11)

Thought

Am I ready for Jesus’ return?

Reflection
Christ Our King
Christ Our King
Christ-the-King
Christ-the-King-a

Lord Jesus, destroy the darkness that surrounds those who doubt your resurrection and ascension. May they come to know, love and serve you. Amen.

Prayer: Happy Death – To St Joseph

O Glorious St. Joseph,
behold I choose thee today for my special patron
in life and at the hour of my death.
Preserve and increase in me
the spirit of prayer and fervour in the service of God.
Remove far from me every kind of sin;
obtain for me that my death may not come upon me unawares,
but that I may have time to confess my sins sacramentally
and to repent with a most perfect understanding
and a most sincere and perfect contrition,
in order that I may breathe forth my soul
into the hands of Jesus and Mary. Amen