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THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Gospel: (Mark 16:15-20)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature…These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly
THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Gospel: (Mark 16:15-20)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature…These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Reflection:
Jesus expects his disciples to walk in his footsteps. But Jesus always invites us to share in his ministry, never forces us. At the Ascension, Jesus commissioned his disciples to proclaim the gospel. At first this might seem an impossible commission: how can we expect to fill Jesus’ footsteps? On our own authority we cannot preach the gospel, we can fill Jesus’ footsteps only when we hear “the instructions given through the Spirit.” What an awesome honor it is to be disciples of Christ – by returning to his rightful place at the hand of God, Jesus entrusts his mission to us. (Living Liturgy, p.136)
Vincentian Meditation:
The motto of the Society states that: “No work of charity is foreign to the Society.” And so in the Manual we read: Accordingly, the possibilities for Vincentian action are almost without limit. Being poor does not always, or necessarily, consist of being short of material goods. Being poor can also mean being physically and mentally handicapped, sick, crippled, old, ugly, or illiterate. There are poor who are or are made to feel alone…immigrants, transients, orphans, the abandoned or rejected, and all those who find themselves among others who are indifferent or hostile. Being poor may mean wanting to cry when others are laughing; being physically or morally chained, as prisoners, shut-ins, alcoholics, drug addicts; being defenseless against attacks, insults or accusations; being an innocent victim of crime or quarrels. The more the Society grows, the more it will reach the lonely and troubled who have need for care and friendship. (US Manual, P.45-46)
Opening Prayer for Society Meetings:
L: In the Name of the Father, etc.
All: Amen.
L: Come, Holy Spirit, live within our lives.
All: And strengthen us by Your Love.
L: Send forth your spirit and new life will be created.
All: And the whole face of the earth will be renewed.
L: Our Father, etc.
All: Give us this day our daily bread, etc.
L:
Opening Prayer for Society Meetings:
L: In the Name of the Father, etc.
All: Amen.
L: Come, Holy Spirit, live within our lives.
All: And strengthen us by Your Love.
L: Send forth your spirit and new life will be created.
All: And the whole face of the earth will be renewed.
L: Our Father, etc.
All: Give us this day our daily bread, etc.
L: Let us reflect on the words of Our Lord Jesus Christ, recalling His unity and presence among us: “Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Silence)
All: Lord Jesus, deepen our Vincentian spirit of friendship during this meeting and make us responsive to the Christian calling to seek and find the forgotten, the suffering, or the deprived so that we may bring them your love. Help us to be generous with our time, our possessions, and ourselves in this mission of charity. Perfect in us your love and teach us to share more fully in the Eucharistic Sacrifice offered for all.
L: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, All: Have mercy on us.
L: Immaculate Heart of Mary, All: Pray for us.
L: St. Vincent de Paul, All: Pray for us.
L: St. Louise de Marillac, All: Pray for us.
L: Blessed Frederic Ozanam, All: Pray for us.
L: Blessed Rosalie Rendu, All: Pray for us.
L: In the Name of the Father, etc.
All: Amen.
Closing Prayer for Society Meetings:
All: Father, grant that we who are nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist may realize the depth of our needs, respond more spontaneously to the suffering of others, and come to love You more deeply by service to our neighbor.
Grant us also the wisdom and strength to persevere when disappointed or distressed. May we never claim that the fruitfulness of our apostolate springs from ourselves alone. United in prayer and action, may we become a visible sign of Christ and may we give witness to His boundless love, which reaches out to all and draws them to love one another in Him.
We thank You, Lord, for the many blessings which we receive from those whom we visit. Help us to love and respect them, to understand their deeper needs, and to share their burdens and joys as true friends in Christ.
L: That the Cause for the Canonization of Frederic Ozanam, who excelled in the virtue of Christian love, be advanced.
All: Lord, hear us.
L: That our departed friends and relatives, our Vincentian Brothers and Sisters, and those whom we have served, be welcomed into your Kingdom and joined in love.
All: Lord, hear us.
L: In the Name of the Father, etc.
All: Amen.
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