"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: The Ascension

BEADS OF JOY 05-10-18

“The Ascension”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Mark 16:15-20 (The Ascension of The Lord)

“And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And 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." So, then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.”

Reflection:
Today’s Gospel is indeed a Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary. The second Glorious Mystery. The Ascension is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, this incredible feast day celebrates the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. The Feast of the Ascension marks the beginning of the first novena, or nine days of prayer. Before His Ascension, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His apostles. Their prayer for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which began on Ascension Thursday (today) and ended with the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday (May 20), ten days later.

In the Eastern Church this feast was also known Asanalepsis -the taking up; and also as The Episozomene -the salvation; denoting that by ascending into His glory Christ completed the work of our redemption. The terms used in the West, ascensio and, occasionally, ascensa, signify that Christ was raised up by His own powers. Tradition designates Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where Christ left the earth. The feast falls on Thursday. It is one of the Ecumenical feasts ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter and of Pentecost among the most solemn in the calendar, has a vigil and, since the fifteenth century, an octave which is set apart for a novena of preparation for Pentecost, in accordance with the directions of Leo XIII. I found all this out through own personal research. I hope it was helpful in your own personal spiritual journey.

The Ascension of Jesus Christ

Pondering these thoughts today: The Feast of our Lord’s Ascension -also reminds us of another very important vital fact. Jesus encourages us to carry out our task in the world, no matter what the weight of our Cross is; let us keep in mind that Jesus waits for us in heaven as well. In other words, our life here on earth, which we may love, is not definitive. We do not have a permanent dwelling place here, but we seek that which is to come (Hebrews 13:14), a changeless home, where we may live forever.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!