They went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word
through accompanying signs.
(Mark 16:-20)
The Lord works with us and confirms His word by the signs that accompany it. These miraculous and Holy-Spirit-powered signs demonstrates the power of God that accompanies faith in Jesus Christ. On our part, we should nurture new believers and help them grow in their faith. When we ourselves struggle with our faith, we must all the more persevere and understand that better days are ahead if we remain faithful. We can take comfort in knowing that when our faith gets shaken, God’s love remains steadfast. Let us pray for a stronger faith and putting our faith into action by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.
15 Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. (Mark 16:15-20)
In the realm where faith and spirit blend, the Lord works with us, a truest friend. His word confirmed by signs that never end, miraculous, Holy-Spirit-powered, they descend. A testament to God's power, so grand, accompanying faith in Jesus, across the land. In our hearts, His love forever stands, a beacon of hope, in His holy hands. We are gardeners in the field of grace, nurturing new believers, each a unique face. Helping them grow, at their own pace, in the warmth of faith, they find their place. When faith falters, and shadows loom, persevere we must, dispelling gloom. For better days ahead, will surely bloom, God's love remains, dispelling doom. Let us pray for faith, strong and bright, a beacon in the day, a star in the night. Putting faith into action, with all our might, sharing the Good News, is our sacred rite.
Dear Lord Jesus, we come before You, acknowledging Your sovereignty and grace. We recognize that You work with us, confirming Your word by the signs that accompany it. These miraculous and Holy-Spirit-powered signs are a testament to Your power, a power that accompanies faith in You. We pray for the strength to nurture new believers, to guide them, and help them grow in their faith. May we be instruments of Your love, reflecting Your light in their lives. When we struggle with our faith, remind us to persevere. Help us understand that better days are ahead if we remain faithful. In times of doubt, may we find comfort in knowing that even when our faith gets shaken, Your love remains steadfast. We pray for a stronger faith, a faith that moves mountains, a faith that withstands the storms of life. Empower us to put our faith into action by sharing the Good News of Your love and salvation with others. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
Jesus didn’t just teach principles; He embodied them. He was a walking testament of His teachings, leading a life that perfectly mirrored His words. Our faith should not be limited to our words. It should be reflected in our actions. What God has said will surely come to pass. This brings to light a pivotal aspect of our faith: the certainty that the Scriptures must and will be fulfilled. Let us always seek divine guidance, to understand our spiritual mission, and to live out our faith in practical ways as we gather together, pray fervently, and make decisions as one body in Christ.
1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. 10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” (Acts 1:1-11)
In the realm where wisdom's seeds are sown, stood a figure, in truth and love, alone. Jesus, the teacher, His life a testament, mirroring His words, a divine embodiment. Not just in whispers, but in actions bold, our faith's story, in our lives, should be told. For faith is not a silent prayer in the night, but a beacon, in our deeds, burning bright. Promises of God, like stars in the sky, unfailing, unchanging, as time goes by. Scriptures, a compass, in uncertainty's tide, their fulfillment, a certainty, far and wide. Seek we must, the divine guidance above, to understand our mission, in faith and love. In words and deeds, our faith we cast, reflecting the teachings, from the first to the last. Together we gather, in unity we pray, decisions we make, as one body in the fray. In Christ, we find our strength and light, guided by faith, we continue the fight.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, humbled and inspired by the life of Your Son, Jesus. He didn't just teach principles; He embodied them. He was a walking testament of His teachings, leading a life that perfectly mirrored His words. Help us to follow His example, to live our faith not just in words, but in actions. We are reminded of Your promises, Lord. What You have said will surely come to pass. This brings to light a pivotal aspect of our faith: the certainty that the Scriptures must and will be fulfilled. We hold onto this assurance, knowing that Your word is steadfast and true. Guide us, O Lord, in our spiritual journey. Let us always seek Your divine guidance, to understand our spiritual mission, and to live out our faith in practical ways. As we gather together, pray fervently, and make decisions, let us do so as one body in Christ. Help us to reflect Your love and grace in all that we do. May our lives be a testament to Your goodness and mercy. We ask all these in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Praise Jesus! He is our good and all-powerful King, omnipotent, sovereign over all things, and a just and holy ruler. He has chosen us out of love and grace despite our many sins. Jesus has defeated evil and will return to allow the dead to rise and live with Him in heaven. Our hope and deliverance is with Jesus. Let us recognize and praise Jesus, the glory of God for redeeming and uniting us to be with Him.
2 All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 3 for the Lord, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. 6 God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts. 7 Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. 8 For the king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 9 God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne. (Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9)
In the realm of the divine, a chorus rings, "Praise Jesus!" the creation sings. Our King, all-powerful, good and true, omnipotent, sovereign, His grace we pursue. Chosen by love, by grace we stand, despite our sins, by His command. He, the holy ruler, just and pure, in His kingdom, we are secure. Evil defeated, the victory won, by Jesus, God's own precious Son. He will return, the dead shall rise, to live with Him in heavenly skies. Our hope, our deliverance, in Jesus we find, His love and mercy, forever entwined. Let us recognize, let us praise His name, the glory of God, forever the same. Redeemed, united, in His love we bask, to be with Him, our eternal task. So let our voices in unison sing, "Praise Jesus, our Savior, our King!"
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of praise. Praise to Jesus, our good and all-powerful King. He is omnipotent, sovereign over all things, a just and holy ruler. We are in awe of His majesty and power. We thank You for choosing us out of love and grace, despite our many sins. We are humbled by Your mercy and Your forgiveness. We acknowledge that we are sinners, and yet You have chosen us to be Your children. We celebrate the victory of Jesus over evil. He has defeated the powers of darkness and brought us into Your marvelous light. We eagerly await His return, when the dead will rise and live with Him in heaven. Our hope and deliverance is with Jesus. Help us to recognize and praise Jesus, the glory of God. Let our lives reflect His love and grace. Let our words and actions bring honor to His name. We thank You for redeeming us and uniting us in Christ. We were once lost, but now we are found. We were once divided, but now we are one in Christ. We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
We should live a worthy life. Each of us has been given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Our actions and behaviors should reflect the grace and love we have received from God. A worthy walk is characterized by humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues help us to bear with one another in love and maintain unity. Despite our differences, we are bound together because of our faith in Christ. The ultimate goal of using our gifts is to build up the body of Christ, helping us all to attain unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. This leads to maturity and the fullness of Christ. Let us make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, a unity that we must strive to preserve.
1 Brothers and sisters, I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: 4 one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore, it says: He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. 9 What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. (Ephesians 4:1-13)
In the journey of life, let's walk with grace, each one of us, in this vast space. Given gifts, by Christ's measure, reflecting His love, our greatest treasure. Our actions, our words, a mirror bright, of God's love, His radiant light. A worthy walk, a path so clear, with humility, gentleness, patience near. These virtues, like a guiding star, help us love, both near and far. Maintain unity, a sacred bond, in faith in Christ, we respond. Despite our differences, a tapestry we weave, bound together, in what we believe. Our gifts, like seeds, we sow, building up the body, watching it grow. Unity in faith, knowledge of the Son, a goal to attain, a victory won. This leads to maturity, a vision vast, in the fullness of Christ, our lot is cast. Strive we must, in peace and love, to keep the unity from above. A bond of peace, a unity so pure, a testament of love, forever to endure.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging that we should live a life worthy of the calling You have placed upon us. Each of us has been given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift, a gift so precious and immeasurable. May our actions and behaviors reflect the grace and love we have received from You. Help us to walk worthily in humility, gentleness, and patience. These virtues, Lord, help us to bear with one another in love and maintain unity. Despite our differences, we are bound together because of our faith in Christ. We are many parts, but one body, united in our belief and love for You. You have blessed each of us with unique gifts. May we use these gifts to build up the body of Christ, helping us all to attain unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. This is our ultimate goal, Lord, to grow in maturity and attain the fullness of Christ. We pray for the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Let us make every effort to keep this unity, a unity that we must strive to preserve. For where there is unity, there You are with us. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
The Longer Ending
THE COMMISSIONING OF THE ELEVEN / THE ASCENSION OF JESUS
Mark 16:14-18 / 19-20
First Reading
I: The Preparation for the Christian Mission
THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT / THE ASCENSION OF JESUS
Acts 1:1-5 / 6-12
Responsorial Psalm
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
THE RULER OF ALL NATIONS
Psalm 47:1-10
Second Reading
III: World Mission of the Church
UNITY IN THE BODY / DIVERSITY OF GIFTS
Ephesians 4:1-6 / 7-16
Reflection Source:
Copilot
