Things to talk about:

• What comes to mind when you hear Jesus say, “I am with you always, until the end of the age”?
• Even at the Ascension, the disciples doubted, but they did the work Jesus asked them to do. What do you think were some of their concerns or questions?
• What are some ways you can help make someone a disciple?
• If Jesus were to return to earth within one hour, what would you do to prepare for his arrival?

Things to do:

• Find the picture of the Ascension of Jesus in the classroom hallway, next to Room 101. What do you notice?
• Compare the versions of the Ascension from Acts 1:9-11 and Luke 24:50-53, and Mark 16:19.
• Send Off Paper Lanterns -Celebrate the feast of the Ascension by sending off paper lanterns into the sky! Lanterns can be purchased at a local craft store. Find a clear, open space with no obstructions such as trees or buildings. Be sure to follow all safety instructions listed on your lantern. 
• Take a hike at Kennesaw Mountain or to the top of a hill. When you get to the top, read the Gospel of the Ascension. Offer spontaneous prayers for personal and communal readiness for the Second Coming.
• Make a cloud-shaped desert, click HERE for ideas. Who wouldn’t love a cotton candy marshmallow cloud pop or cloud mocktail?
  
   
   

Closing Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel Prayer

The prayer to St. Michael originated with Pope Leo XIII in 1886. 

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Name anyone who needs prayer, reply, “Lord, hear our prayers.”  Close with the Sign of the Cross.     

Catholic Insight

Ascension Sunday traditionally falls 40 days after Easter, which is a Thursday. It is a holy day of obligation, but many dioceses now move Ascension Thursday to be celebrated on the seventh Sunday of Easter.

This Gospel is taken from the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew. The Final Commission, as this Gospel is sometimes called, is given on the mountaintop. Throughout Scripture, the most important events happen on a mountaintop.

We are told that the eleven disciples go the mountaintop in Galilee, as Jesus had instructed.  Jesus approaches them and commissions them to baptize and teach, “to make disciples of all nations.” The mission of Jesus is now to be taken to all people; the task now is to baptize and to teach. The ending of Matthew’s Gospel is understood as the beginning of the Church. “And so it begins…”

The Gospel ends, as it had begun, with the promise that Jesus will continue to be Emmanuel, “God with us” (cf. Matthew 1:23), for all eternity.

• Jesus ascended into heaven. Mary was assumed into heaven. The simple difference is that Jesus ascended on his own abilities, and Mary was brought up. These happened at different times, this is just explanation of a wording difference. 
• When Jesus ascended into heaven, he told the apostles to wait on the Holy Spirit to come upon them. They stayed and prayed for 9 days until Pentecost Sunday, making the first novena. A novena is a prayer prayed for 9 days and the concept is based on this event. 

Did you know?...This Gospel is referred to as the “Great Commission”. Through the Great Commission, Jesus gives us the mission of the Church — to make disciples of all nations. Through our baptism, we all have the duty to participate in this mission. (CCC 1270) 

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Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection