“God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.” Psalm 47
Source: MagnifiKid! May 10 or 13, 2018 Vol. 15. Part 6. Section 3. Page 6
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
“The Kingdom of Heaven” MagnifiKid! May 10 or 13, 2018 Vol. 15. Part 6. Section 3. Pages 8-9.
“In the Bible, the ‘kingdom of heaven’ and the ‘kingdom of God’ mean the same thing. The first expression is used in Mathew’s Gospel, which follows the Jewish tradition of never pronouncing God’s name. The kingdom is not a place–it is a way of life, a way of loving God and obeying his commandments. No one sees the kingdom because we are living in it already when we live according to God’s word.”
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
In California, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord on Sunday:
“Thursday will mark forty (40) days after the Resurrection. Depending where you live will determine whether you will celebrate Ascension Thursday or Ascension Sunday. In the United States, only the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, and Philadelphia continue observing Ascension Thursday as a holy day of obligation.”
Gospel for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Source: USCCB.org (Mark, Chapter 16:15-20)
“Jesus said to his disciples:
‘Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
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.’
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.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.”
Readings on the Ascension of the Lord for Children
In Descending Order of Difficulty
Excerpt from MagnifiKid! Prayers for Schools Page 217
“Listen, brothers and sisters, to the words of the conclusion of the holy Gospel according to Mark:
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 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.’
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. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. (Mk 16:15-20)
The Church is called to spread the Good News to the whole world. As members of the Church, we, too, are called to follow Jesus’ instruction: ‘Go into the world and proclaim the Gospel….”
Excerpt from Catholic Book of Bible Stories, Pages 192-193
“The Ascension”
“Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:6-11”
“Jesus visited his disciples. He blessed them, saying, ‘Your are my chosen ones. You heard all that I taught. You witnessed my ministry to all the people. You must go and tell the people what you have seen and heard. Teach the people to do everything that I have commanded you. Make disciples in every nation. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…I will be with you always, even until the very end of time,’ said Jesus. ‘Wait in Jerusalem until I send the Holy Spirit to you.’
The disciples watched in amazement as Jesus raised his hands, and was gently taken up into heaven.”
Excerpt from The Catholic Bible for Children Page 208
“The Ascension and the Choosing of Matthias”
“Acts 1:6-26”
“Jesus gathered his disciples on a mountain.
They asked him, ‘When will your kingdom come?’
‘I cannot tell you that now’, Jesus replied, ‘But soon you will receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
Then you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.’
When he had said this, Jesus disappeared into the sky.”
Christ Prepares His Apostles to Spread the Word
A Reading for Children from “The Ascension” (Acts 1) The Illustrated Bible for Little Ones
Page 245
“Jesus and his friends were on a hillside outside of Jerusalem. The time had come for Jesus to leave.
Jesus turned to his disciples. ‘You must stay here and wait for the gift that my Father has promised you. Soon you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then you must spread my message not only in Jerusalem, but in every country throughout the world.’
The before their eyes, Jesus was taken up to heaven and a cloud hid him from sight.
As they looked upward in wonder, two men dressed in white appeared beside them. ‘Why are you looking at the sky?’ they asked. ‘Jesus has gone to be with God, but one day he will return!’
Let us be ready for that day!”
Family Conversation Idea: Ask your children to talk about the two men who suddenly appeared to the Apostles. Who could they have been? Where did they come from? Where was Jesus going?
Our Ascension Art Project
Materials Used
Invite your child to paint “The Ascension” with watercolors. Youngest children might enjoy using a natural sponge to paint just the sky and a cloud. Older children can add more detail and the figure of Jesus ascending. This art project will help children visualize and remember the wondrous story of “The Ascension of the Lord.”
Homework Suggestions
Please read “The Coming of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2) from Catholic Book of Bible Stories Pages 196-197, and Page 199, “Faith to Grow” and “Prayer.”
“Prayer”
“Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our souls
with your peace. In the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.”
