Solemnity of the Ascension

Ascension Icon

God goes up with shouts of joy! Our Love goes up with trumpet blasts, Alleluia!

 

Invitation to  Worship

Alleluia!  Let us adore Jesus our Love,

ascended into heaven!  Alleluia!

 

O Holy One,+ open my lips.

~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.

 

God goes up with shouts of joy, alleluia;

~Our Love goes up with trumpet blast, alleluia!

 

Hymn for Ascension

The Source of all our life is Christ, Our Love and Joy, our only Worth,

Who formed the world as mighty God, In promised time was born on Earth.

 

What selfless love possessed your heart That you should bear our sinful deeds, And die in pain and agony That we from certain death be freed!

 

You crushed the grip of slavish sin And set a captive people free

As Victor now in ev’ry way Your Abba’s joy alone you see.

 

The strength of kindly love alone Urged on your struggle o’er our sins;

As gracious brother giving aid Your grace our sole allegiance wins.

 

Christ, you are our Joy of Life, Our present striving’s future Goal.

May all our glory be in you As years on years our ages roll.  Amen!

Text: IESU, NOSTRA REDEMPTIO (8th century); tr. St. Meinrad, alt. ; Tune: ONLY WORTH L.M.

 

 

PSALMODY

Antiphon One

People of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven?

This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven,

will come in the same way. Alleluia!

 

Psalm 62/63

O God, you are my God, I long for you from early morning.

for you my soul is thirsting

My whole being desires you

Like a dry, worn out and waterless land;

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary;

let me see how mighty and glorious you are.

 

Your constant love is better than life itself

and so I will praise you.

 I will give you thanks as long as I live;

I will raise my hands to you in prayer.

My soul will feast and be satisfied

and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.

 

As I lie in bed I remember you,

all night long I think of you

for you have always been my help.

In the shadow of your wings I sing for joy;

My heart clings to you

and your hand keeps me safe.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

and to the BREATH of Love.

As always before

so now and evermore. Amen.

People of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven?

This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven,

will come in the same way. Alleluia!

 

 

Antiphon Two

And while they were gazing up to heaven

as he went, they said,  ‘Alleluia!’

Psalm 22/23

You, O LOVE, are my shepherd,

There is nothing more I need.

Fresh and green are the pastures,

Where you take me to rest;

Leading  me near calming waters

You renew my drooping spirit.

 

You guide me in the path of goodness,

Always true to your Loving-kindness.

If I walk in the valley of death’s darkness

No evil would I fear

You are there with your shepherd’s staff

To strengthen, guide and give comfort.

 

You spread a feast before me

In the presence of all that I fear,

You soothe my head with oil;

My cup is more than full.

 

Your goodness and love will tend me

All the days of my life.

I will dwell in the Heart of your Love

For ever and ever.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

and to the BREATH of Love.

As always before

so now and evermore. Amen.

And while they were gazing up to heaven

as he went, they said,  ‘Alleluia!’

 

 

Antiphon Three

Lifting up his hands, he blest them,

and he was carried up into heaven. Alleluia!

Psalm 149

Sing a new song to Adonai,

sing praise in the assembly of the faithful!

Let Israel rejoice in her Maker,

let the children of Zion exult in their God.

Let us all praise the Holy Name with dancing

and make music with timbrel and harp.

 

For Adonai takes delight in this people,

And crowns the poor with salvation.

Let the faithful rejoice in their glory,

shout for joy and enjoy the feast.

Let the praise of God be on our lips

and the sword of truth near at hand,

 

to teach God’s justice to the nations

revealing the consequences of their actions;

to break the chains of oppression

and unbind its fetters of iron;

to do God’s will on earth as in heaven,

the joy and honor of all who are faithful.

 

Glory to the ONE through the WORD

In the BREATH of Love!

As always before,

so now and evermore.  Amen

Lifting up his hands, he blest them,

and he was carried up into heaven. Alleluia!

 

 

READING  ACTS 1: 6-9

[Jesus] said to [the disciples]: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Abba has set with authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the Earth.” And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

 

Responsory

R.  When Christ ascended on high he led a host of captives * and he gave gifts to all, alleluia, alleluia!  V. God ascended with shouts of joy, our Love went up with trumpet blasts;   * and he gave gifts to all, alleluia, alleluia!  V.  Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.

 

 

Canticle of Zachariah

Antiphon

He was lifted up before their eyes,

and a cloud took him into heaven.   Alleluia!

Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,

Who visits this people to set us free

Raising for us a sign of salvation

In the house and family of David.

 

God promised throughout past ages

In words of holy prophets

To save us from our enemies,

And from the control of our oppressors.

 

Adonai favored our ancestors

And remembered the sacred covenant.

The pledge to Abraham and Sarah

Is now renewed for us;

 

That freed from the grip of our foes

We might worship without fear

And be both just and holy

For the rest of our days.

 

And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”

Will go ahead to prepare the way,

By teaching this people of salvation

Through forgiveness of their sins.

 

For the loving compassion of the Holy One

As the Rising Sun will shine upon us

To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow

To guide our feet on the way of peace.

 

Glory to the ONE and to the WORD

And to the BREATH of Love!

As always before,

so now and evermore.  Amen

He was lifted up before their eyes,

and a cloud took him into heaven.   Alleluia!

 

 

 SERVICE OF PRAYER

Litany of Intercession

O Jesus, Light of the World, shine on all those who are sitting in the darkness of isolation and the shadows of depression.

 

O Jesus, Bread of Life, feed us that we may become bread for the world.

 

O Jesus, Good Shepherd, guide us to the pastures of eternal life.

 

O Jesus, Great Vine, graft us to yourself that we may bear much fruit.

 

O Jesus the Way, show us the path and how to walk with you to freedom, flourishing and the fullness of life.

 

O Jesus the Truth, teach us to seek and embrace the reality of God’s love revealed in the whole of creation and in the mystery of your life, death and resurrection.

 

O Jesus the Life, fill us with your life-giving Spirit that we may live as you live as one with your Abba.

 

O Jesus the Resurrection, grant eternal rest to those who have died and consolation to those who grieve their passing.

 

Prayer of Jesus

Our Father…

 

Closing Prayer

We bless and thank you, O Gracious God, for you have raised Jesus to sit at your right hand and to put an end to all that limits or destroys life.  May this celebration of his Ascension into heaven empower us to express in our lives the love we celebrate in this feast.  We ask this in the Name of Jesus, the Risen and Ascended One, who lives and loves with you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

 

Blessing

May the Risen Christ, ascended to the Abba, send us the Holy Spirit and bless + us with abundant life, Alleluia!  ~Amen, Alleluia!

 

Let us bless Adonai, Alleluia, Alleluia!

~Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!