The blessing of the ascension
Prayer
Contemporary Lectionary Prayers
Cycle B
Gospel Note:
This passage overlaps the selection for the Third Sunday of
Easter, which recounts resurrected Christ's final commission to
his disciples. Added here, however, is his leading them to
Bethany, blessing them and departing. Of particular importance is
the emphatic repetition of the verb "to bless" in various forms:
Christ blesses the disciples and they in turn bless God joyfully.
Liturgical Color:
White
Suggested Hymns:
A Hymn Of Glory Let Us Sing!
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Rejoice, The Lord Is King!
Lord, Enthroned In Heavenly Splendor
At The Name Of Jesus
O Christ, Our Hope
The Ascension Of Our Lord
Lord God,
we sometimes find ourselves standing still,
gazing up to heaven, doing little to further your
kingdom.
It is as if we are waiting for a clue which will
clearly tell us what to do next.
We are looking for Jesus.
Help us to remember that Jesus did not abandon
his followers when he was lifted up to heaven.
His exaltation made possible something wonderful.
He is now present everywhere at the same time!
This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Your promise has been fulfilled!
If we continue looking only up to heaven we will
miss the very best signs of the presence of Jesus.
He is present wherever the gospel is preached!
Whenever repentance and forgiveness are announced,
Christ himself is present.
This is great news!
So Lord, clothe us with your power from on high,
and shift our gaze to places where your work needs
to be done.
Amen.
This passage overlaps the selection for the Third Sunday of
Easter, which recounts resurrected Christ's final commission to
his disciples. Added here, however, is his leading them to
Bethany, blessing them and departing. Of particular importance is
the emphatic repetition of the verb "to bless" in various forms:
Christ blesses the disciples and they in turn bless God joyfully.
Liturgical Color:
White
Suggested Hymns:
A Hymn Of Glory Let Us Sing!
Crown Him With Many Crowns
Rejoice, The Lord Is King!
Lord, Enthroned In Heavenly Splendor
At The Name Of Jesus
O Christ, Our Hope
The Ascension Of Our Lord
Lord God,
we sometimes find ourselves standing still,
gazing up to heaven, doing little to further your
kingdom.
It is as if we are waiting for a clue which will
clearly tell us what to do next.
We are looking for Jesus.
Help us to remember that Jesus did not abandon
his followers when he was lifted up to heaven.
His exaltation made possible something wonderful.
He is now present everywhere at the same time!
This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Your promise has been fulfilled!
If we continue looking only up to heaven we will
miss the very best signs of the presence of Jesus.
He is present wherever the gospel is preached!
Whenever repentance and forgiveness are announced,
Christ himself is present.
This is great news!
So Lord, clothe us with your power from on high,
and shift our gaze to places where your work needs
to be done.
Amen.
