First Reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 1:1-11

In my first book, dear Theophilus, I wrote about everything Jesus did and taught, up to the day he ascended to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. He appeared to them after his passion, gave them many proofs that he was alive, and over forty days let himself be seen by them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God.

One day, while eating with them, he commanded them: “Do not leave Jerusalem. Wait here for the promise of my Father, about which I have already spoken to you: John baptized with water; in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Those gathered there asked him: “Lord, are you now going to restore the sovereignty of Israel?” Jesus answered: “It is not for you to know the times or dates that the Father has set by his own authority; but when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After saying this, he was lifted up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. While they were gazing up to heaven as he went, suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them and said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand there looking up to heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go.”

Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians

Ephesians 1:17-23

Brothers and sisters: I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that he may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know him.

I pray that he may enlighten the eyes of your heart so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might.

With this power he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every ruler and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew

Matthew 28:16-20

At that time, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him, though some doubted.

Then Jesus came to them and said: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”