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 1:17–23
God made him sit at his right hand in heaven.
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
Matthew 28:16–20
Go and make disciples of all nations.
Images from the Word
- To meet them
- Some hesitated
- Make disciples
- Baptised with the Spirit
- Ruler of everything
Liturgical notes
The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature, since it is from the mission of the Son and the mission of the Holy Spirit that she draws her origin, in accordance with the decree of God the Father.
—Vatican II, Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity, §2
Christ has entrusted to all the call to mission. All are called to participate in the overflowing love of God, who sent his Son into the world and who in turn gives the Spirit to men and women in all time and ages. By initiation, we are called and empowered to do what God does in the world: we are the hearts and hands of God who can bring God’s love and compassion into every aspect of our life. We are commissioned to be ambassadors of God’s love so that his message may reach the ends of the earth.
‘Almighty ever-living God, who allow those on earth to celebrate divine mysteries, grant, we pray, that Christian hope may draw us onward to where our nature is united with you.’
—prayer after Communion