Build God’s Kingdom

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/051715-ascension.cfm) reminds me that we should build God’s kingdom here on earth.

AS we celebrate the feast of Christ’s Ascension into heaven, we are reminded that we need to build God’s kingdom here on earth.

The Ascension is the culmination of Christ’s mission. After rising from the dead and appearing to his disciples, Jesus went back to be with God the Father in heaven. But before he did that, he gave his last instructions to his disciples – to go into the world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

God wants us to continue Jesus’ work here on earth.

As Christ ascended into heaven, he takes a back seat and asks us to take the frontline in proclaiming God’s kingdom. We are to spread the gospel, spread God’s love to the world. OF course, God is watching and is with us, but he wants us to do our part and act.

Christ died to save us from sin. And as redeemed children of God, we are asked to share this love, this blessing and this relationship we have with God to the whole world. to every creature. And just as signs accompanied the disciples as they preached the gospel, just as their actions were powerful in proclaiming God’s kingdom, so too are our actions powerful and important as we build God’s kingdom on earth.

More than preaching the gospel or the bible, we should proclaim God’s kingdom with the way we live our lives. How we treat others, how we treat those annoying people in our lives, how we react to challenges and disappointments, how we act when we think no one can see us – these are all powerful testimonies, powerful ways of building Gods kingdom here on earth.

May we be willing and obedient to his command.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another day to love and experience your love. Thank you for the gift of new life and new beginnings. Lord, thank you for loving me. help me do my part. Help me share you to others, help me build your kingdom on earth. May my  actions and the way I live proclaim you and build your kingdom on earth. Amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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May 17, 2015 - Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Lectionary: 58

Reading 1 Acts 1:1-11

In the first book, Theophilus,

I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught

until the day he was taken up,

after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit

to the apostles whom he had chosen.

He presented himself alive to them

by many proofs after he had suffered,

appearing to them during forty days

and speaking about the kingdom of God.

While meeting with them,

he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,

but to wait for “the promise of the Father

about which you have heard me speak;

for John baptized with water,

but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

When they had gathered together they asked him,

“Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons

that the Father has established by his own authority.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,

throughout Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth.”

When he had said this, as they were looking on,

he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.

While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going,

suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.

They said, “Men of Galilee,

why are you standing there looking at the sky?

This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven

will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

R. (6) God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

All you peoples, clap your hands,

shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,

is the great king over all the earth.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

For king of all the earth is God;

sing hymns of praise.

God reigns over the nations,

God sits upon his holy throne.

R. God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Reading 2 Eph 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters:

May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation

resulting in knowledge of him.

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,

that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call,

what are the riches of glory

in his inheritance among the holy ones,

and what is the surpassing greatness of his power

for us who believe,

in accord with the exercise of his great might,

which he worked in Christ,

raising him from the dead

and seating him at his right hand in the heavens,

far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion,

and every name that is named

not only in this age but also in the one to come.

And he put all things beneath his feet

and gave him as head over all things to the church,

which is his body,

the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

Alleluia Mt 28:19a, 20b

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;

I am with you always, until the end of the world.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mk 16:15-20

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Go into the whole world

and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;

whoever does not believe will be condemned.

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.