May 29 - One Bread, One Body
May 29, Ascension, Pentecost Novena — Day 3
Cycle C Readings:
1) Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9
2) Ephesians 1:17-23
Luke 24:46-53
Power-Pack
"May He enlighten your innermost vision that you may know...the immeasurable scope of His power in us who believe. It is like the strength He showed in raising Christ from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in heaven ." — Ephesians 1:18-20
Jesus tried to tell us we had power to overcome all demons and to cure diseases (Lk 9:1). He told us we could “cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons” (Mt 10:8). He even promised we would do greater by far than He ever did, if we only believed in Him (Jn 14:12).
However, Jesus saved the best till last. Before His Ascension, the risen Jesus, with nail-scarred hands and a hole in His side, was speaking to the apostles concerning the signs that would accompany those who had professed their faith (Mk 16:17). Jesus mentioned five signs: expelling demons, speaking new languages, handling serpents, drinking poison without suffering harm, and healing the sick (Mk 16:17-18). “No sooner had He said this than He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight” (Acts 1:9). Jesus ascended “into heaven and took His seat at God’s right hand” (Mk 16:19).
When a Man has split the clouds and left planet earth behind, He’s certainly proven Himself to be an expert on signs. When Jesus says to us: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you” (Acts 1:8), He knows what He’s talking about.
Prayer: Ascended, glorified Jesus, may I believe in You, Your promises, and Your power now at work in me (Eph 3:20).
Promise: “I send down upon you the promise of My Father.” —Lk 24:49
Praise: “Thus you find Scripture saying: ‘When He ascended on high, He took a host of captives and gave gifts to men’ ” (Eph 4:8). Risen Jesus, we honor Your Ascension.
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022.
†Most Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio August 3, 2021.
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.