290 likes | 851 Views
Ascension Thursday and The First Pentecost. Mr. Perrotti Chapter 4 –Paschal Mystery Conclusion. Ascension Thursday. The Ascension of Our Lord occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter
E N D
Ascension Thursday and The First Pentecost Mr. Perrotti Chapter 4 –Paschal Mystery Conclusion
Ascension Thursday • The Ascension of Our Lord occurred 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter • This is the final act of our redemption (Paschal Mystery)that Christ began on Good Friday. • It concludes the Easter Season! • On this day, the risen Christ, in the sight of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven
Ascension Thursday • Christ's Ascension into Heaven was from Mount Olive and area near the garden he prayed on the night of the Last Supper. • In the Eastern Church this feast was known as analepsis, the taking up. • The Eastern Church also refers to this day as the episozomene, the salvation, denoting that by ascending into His glory Christ completed the work of our redemption.
Ascension Thursday • The terms used in the West, ascensio and, occasionally, ascensa, signify that Christ was raised up by His own powers. • As we heard in Matthew’s gospel, moments before his Ascension, Jesus told his followers very simply: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” • He urged them to baptize, to teach, to carry on the work that he has begun.
Ascension Thursday • But the account in Acts offers another account, After the disciples watched Jesus disappear into the clouds, two men appeared. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing there looking at the sky?” • In other words: what are you waiting for? • When Jesus said he would be back….They all thought he would be right back!
Jesus’ Promises • “I will send the Holy Spirit to help you spread the message of God!” • “I will be with you always, remember the Covenant I gave you at the Last Supper, my Body and Blood” • “I will come again in Glory at the end of time so that all who believe in me can sit at the table in my Kingdom”
It seems to me that Christ’s first word at that moment was a simple command to us all • GO!....................... • Go – and transform the world. • Go – and pick up those who have fallen. • Go – and heal those who are hurting. • Go – and love those who have been forgotten. • “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life.”
How will we raise our lives to God? • 2,000 years after Christ returned to his Father, and the disciples stood on a mountaintop staring into the clouds, still wondering if he would return! • Today as servants of God, we must not spend all our time gazing at the stars, living in the past or dreaming about the future. • We need to “GO” Follow God’s command and serve, lead by example and love.
How will we raise our lives to God? • How many of us practice our Faith! • Attend weekly Mass or Service • Volunteer to help those less fortunate • Serve our school, Church and Family! • Are willing to “Go” and be a disciple of Christ in all we do! How will you raise our lives to God?............ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWEDBaFy0SI&list=PL522B5D80427A293A&index=4.com
Pentecost Sunday • Pentecost Sunday is one of the most ancient feasts of the Church, celebrated early enough to be mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (20:16) and St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians • It is the 50th day after Easter • It replaces the Jewish feast of Pentecost, which took place 50 days after the Passover and which celebrated the sealing of the Old Covenant on Mount Sinai.
Pentecost Sunday • Christ had promised His Apostles that He would sent His Holy Spirit • On Pentecost, they were granted the gifts of the Holy Spirit • The Apostles began to preach the Gospel in all of the languages that the Jews who were gathered (The Gift of Tongues) • About 3,000 people were converted and baptized that day.
Pentecost is often called "the birthday of the Church." • Held up in a room, afraid and confused, The Holy Spirit entered their Hearts • He filled them with Faith, Courage and The Good News of the Lord! • On this day, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ's mission is completed, and the New Covenant is inaugurated
What Happened! • Each year, Pentecost Sunday comes 50 days after Easter Sunday • The Greek word for 50 is pentecost. The beginning of Pentecost is recorded in Acts • The disciples of Jesus were gathering together the day of Pentecost when:
Coming of the Holy Spirit • Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
The Incredible PAGAN Origin of a Sunday "Pentecost"! • Did you know that the Sunday Pentecost of the Catholic Church is derived from the sacred festival of the ancient pagan goddess Flora? • The Holiday was really an ancient May Day celebration • The holiday for Flora (as officially determined by Julius Caesar when he fixed the Roman calendar) ran from April 28 to May 3. • Flora was a goddess of flowers, which generally begin to bloom in the spring
God at Work! • Once again God takes a Jewish and Pagan Holiday and calls it his own. • Next to Easter and Christmas, Pentecost Sunday is considered the Birthday of the Christian Church! • Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit as a sign of his love and devotion for the Apostles and Disciples. • The Holy Spirit gave them the courage to continue God’s plan and build the early Church!
Let The Word go forth. • Pentecost Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church • John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost when Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire • Today, in many Christian churches, Pentecost Sunday is celebrated to recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit, realizing that God’s very life, breath and energy live in believers
Let The Word go forth. • That the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good • This gift of the Holy Spirit that was promised and given to all believers on the first Pentecost is promised for you and your children and for all who are far off whom the Lord our God will call
Seven Virtues of the Holy Spirit • Wisdom • Guidance • Courage • Knowledge • Piety • Understanding • The Fear of the Lord
“Come Holy Spirit Fill the Hearts of the Faithful” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5tr4pqWIo4.com