ASCENSION (B)

Sunday 13 May 2018

The Examen How have I lived out last week’s Gospel message? … What was tough? … What was rewarding? The Introduction Topics of eternity are constantly discussed – sometimes with fear – because there is a huge unknown factor. However, in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is clear: if you believe in him, you are saved (as in heaven). If you do not believe, you will be condemned. Before Jesus ascended to the One who sent him, he asked the followers to spread the Good News. How are you ‘proclaiming the gospel to every creature’? How do others know that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ? The Call to Prayer Leader:

Testify! Tell the world what God has done!

All:

God has created our world and has given us lakes and mountains, stars and wonder as we look up at the night sky.

Leader:

Testify, for God has given us more!

All:

God has given each of us life and breath, and has put us in families and among friends.

Leader:

Testify, for God has been faithful!

All:

God has given us the ancient leaders and prophets, has spoken through the scriptures, and has formed the faith community.

Leader:

Testify, for God has held nothing back!

All:

God has sent Jesus Christ for all people. In Christ’s birth, God’s care was made clear; in his baptism, God’s vocation was revealed; and in his death on the cross, we understand just how far God will go. Amen.

The Scripture

(Mark 16: 15 – 20)

Narrator:

Jesus spoke to the eleven.

Jesus 1:

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole of creation. Those who believe and are baptised will be saved; but those who do not believe will be condemned.

Jesus 2:

These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.

Narrator:

Then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it.

The Focus

Create a World to Change the World

When I worked in a high school, we used to gather our student leaders for lunch discussions about the ups and downs of living what they were preaching. It wasn’t easy for them. That’s why they needed to get together. Over lunch they’d talk and pray, laugh and gripe, listen and think. The lunches helped them create a world within the world. They created a Christian world where they found support for choosing reconciliation over vengeance, service over selfishness, and honesty over deceit. Peer pressure is a tough thing to fight – for adults and young people. Many people abandon living their faith openly or define it as unrealistic because they get so much flak from friends, family, classmates, and co-workers. Jesus prays in this week’s Gospel for his disciples because he knows the world will wear them down, even though they’ve all come to know and love him. Jesus knows that without God working 24-7 to protect them, they’ll soon forget all they learned from him. You can create a ‘world within the world’ by gathering with like-minded people. Go to a youth group. Start a prayer and discussion meeting. Commit to regular service trips with friends. Share your opinions and listen to others in religion class. Or just call a Christian friend regularly for a talk about life. Within this Christian world, you’ll find the strength and protection Jesus asked God to send. You’ll find greater strength to stand for Christ in the larger world when the going gets tough. The Music Connection (Sunday’s Song) ‘KEEP HOLDING ON’

Avril Lavigne

Eragon

(RCA Records)

Nobody ever said that being a Christian was going to be easy, but some have it much harder than others. Nevertheless, many people continue to believe in God and follow Jesus even though they have to keep their faith secret and risk their lives by doing so. This should be even more motivation for us to do it, as we are lucky enough to live in a country that will not persecute us. This song is for those who remain faithful to God despite the risks, and those who struggle with their faith in luckier countries – we are here for you, stay strong. Key lines:

You are not alone / Together we stand / I’ll be by your side / You know I’ll take your hand / When it gets cold / And it feels like the end / There’s no place to go / You know I won’t give in

Do you sometimes question your faith? Does it ever seem like a burden? Who do you go to when you feel like this? How do you deal with it? Do you pray for those less fortunate than yourself? What have you done lately to improve the life of someone who isn’t as lucky as you? How do you think people who cannot worship freely manage to keep their faith? How have you been strong lately? Do you think you should work on being stronger in your faith and in your life in general? The Action Wait on the Holy Spirit. This kind of waiting is not passive. It is not about sitting on your hands, but lifting them up in prayer. Pray for a release of the Spirit in you, in your parish, in your school, in your community, upon the world. What have you learned through the practice of waiting? About yourself? About the world? About God? The Song Suggestions

(Song suggestions taken from ‘Spirit & Song’ Spirit & Song/OCP Publications)

GREAT GOD Dave Wilding

GREAT IS THE LORD Michael W. Smith & Deborah D. Smith

The Question of the Week If a word or phrase from the Gospel grabs your heart: sit quietly for a few moments, repeating it to yourself and asking God to show you how it applies to your life. Perhaps even journal on the following question: • How have you been challenged to act on the good news in your everyday life?