First reading
Acts 1:1–11
Jesus was lifted up while they looked on.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 46(47):2–3, 6–9
R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Second reading
Ephesians 4:1–13
We are all to come to unity, fully mature in the knowledge of the Son of God.
Gospel acclamation
Matthew 28:19, 20
Go and teach all people my Gospel. I am with you always, until the end of the world.
Gospel
Mark 16:15–20
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News.
Images from the Word
- Eleven
- Whole world
- His place
- Taken up to heaven
- Unity of the Spirit
Liturgical notes
In the dioceses of Australia standing is the most common posture for receiving Holy Communion, though individual members of the faithful may choose to receive Communion while kneeling. When approaching to receive Holy Communion, the faithful bow in reverence of the Sacrament that they are to receive.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §160
As we unite in the procession to receive the sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood in Communion, we express our unity by forming one procession to the altar to receive these gifts. Our bodily posture expresses our reverence towards this gift. Our Amen to the acclamations The Body of Christ, The Blood of Christ, made by the Communion minister, is our opportunity to affirm our faith and our commitment to mission. Our Christ entrusts himself to us so that we may be his ambassadors for his mission to reach the ends of the world.
‘Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw him go, alleluia’
—entrance antiphon