Children's Liturgy Series: The Ascension of the Lord (Cycle C)

In today's Gospel we learn about how Jesus ascended to Heaven (in body and soul), in the presence of his apostles, 40 days after his resurrection.

Come Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and our minds. Fill us with your peace, love, and understanding. Help us to hear God's message today and recognize His voice in our daily activities. Amen

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

Ask the young people to think about a time when they called upon another person who they believed had more knowledge and/or power to help them. Perhaps they have asked a parent to help resolve a conflict with a sibling or asked a teacher for help to resolve a classroom matter.

Say: As we mature, we are able to do many more things on our own. But each of us, every now and then, requires a little extra assistance from someone who has more knowledge and power than we have. In some ways, we can think about the assistance that we receive from Jesus in this way. This is one of the things we remember as we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension.

Say: In this Sunday's Gospel, we hear the instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples before he was taken up to heaven. Let's listen carefully to this Gospel. Invite one or more volunteers to read Luke 24:46-53.

Ask: What instructions does Jesus give to his disciples? (Preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all nations, be witnesses, and remain in the city until they are clothed with power from on high.)

Ask: What do you think Jesus was talking about when he told the disciples that they would be clothed with power from on high? (They will be filled with the Holy Spirit.) Say: Forty days after his Resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven. We certainly have a very powerful ally in Jesus. If we ask him, he will help us to follow his example.


Conclude by praying that we will remember to call upon Jesus to help us as we try to follow his example. Pray together the Apostles' Creed.

Father in heaven, for the sake of bringing others closer to you, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen