Intermediate Session
Acts 1:1-11
Mark 16:15-20
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Thank you, God, for bringing us new life through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Help us to treat each day as a new opportunity to show our love for you through loving others.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
The topic for today is the Ascension of the Lord. For today's session provide each child with a brown paper lunch bag, scissors, markers, and string. Invite the children to create paper kites to celebrate the ascension of Jesus. Have each child decorate a paper bag and cut holes in it. Then attach string to the two ends of the bag. The kites will fly when the children hold onto the ends of the string and run. Explain to the children that they can celebrate Jesus' ascension into heaven by flying their kites at home. Discuss:
• What is it like when you do not get something that you want?
• Have you ever gotten something better instead?
• Who are some people that know what is best for you?
Allow time for discussion. The disciples did not want Jesus to die on the cross. God knew what Jesus' friends wanted and he gave them something better instead. God raised Jesus from the dead and Jesus ascended into heaven. This is a sign of hope for all believers. Jesus is alive and with us always.
Listening to the Word of God
In the first reading from Acts listen to find out what happens after Jesus is raised from the dead.
Read Acts 1:1-11.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• Who does Jesus appear to after the Resurrection?
• How will the Holy Spirit help Jesus' followers?
• How is Jesus taken up into heaven?
In the gospel today, listen to find out what the disciples do after Jesus is taken up into heaven.
Read Mark 16:15-20.
Allow for silence.
• What happens after Jesus speaks to his disciples?
• How do the disciples continue Jesus' work on earth after he is taken up to heaven?
• How does Jesus help his friends?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the readings using the Catechist Background section.
On the feast of the Ascension we celebrate the ascension of Jesus into heaven. According to the first reading from Acts, Jesus is taken up into heaven forty days after the resurrection. It is hard to imagine what Jesus' friends were feeling when he was taken from them. In today's passage, when Jesus ascends into heaven the disciples are given a message of hope. God sends two messengers to tell them that Jesus is not gone forever, he will come again.
In this gospel Jesus tells his followers that they have work to do. They are challenged to go out and proclaim the good news to all. Those who believe will have the power to preach, heal, and cast out demons in Jesus' name. After Jesus speaks to his friends, he is taken up into heaven to sit at the right hand of God. The disciples take Jesus' message to heart. They go out and spread the good news everywhere.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• How does it feel when someone close to you moves away?
• How can Jesus help you get through tough times?
• What work are Jesus' followers called to do?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Ascension of the Lord is professed in both the Apostles' and the Constantinopolitan-Nicene Creeds.
On the Ascension the Church prays: "Father...today the Lord Jesus, the king of glory, the conqueror of sin and death, ascended to heaven while the angels sang his praises. Christ, the mediator between God and [humanity], judge of the world and Lord of all, has passed beyond our sight, not to abandon us but to be our hope. Christ is the beginning, the head of the Church; where he has gone, we hope to follow."
The feast of the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated forty days after Easter. Today's feast reminds us to direct our attention to Christ, who ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father.
• What helps us to believe that Jesus is always with us?
• How does Jesus show us the way to heaven?
• What do we celebrate on the feast of the Ascension?
Sacrament Connection
One way that Jesus' healing work continues in the Church today is through the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. This sacrament strengthens our faith when we are seriously ill or dying.
The Gospel in Life
How can you help someone who is feeling alone this week?
Call Us Today!