Thursday, 14 May 2026
Ascension of the Lord
Readings for the universal ChurchGeneral Roman Calendar, used by Catholics worldwide
First Reading
1The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, of all things which Jesus began to do and to teach, 2Until the day on which, giving commandments by the Holy Ghost to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up. 3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God. 4And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard (saith he) by my mouth. 5For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence. 6They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power: 8But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth. 9And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments. 11Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven.
Responsorial Psalm
2O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of Joy,
3For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.
6God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.
7Sing praises to our God, sing ye: sing praises to our king, sing ye.
8For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye wisely.
9God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth on his holy throne.
Second Reading
17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what the hope is of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places. 21Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. 22And he hath subjected all things under his feet, and hath made him head over all the church, 23Which is his body, and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.
Gospel
16And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17And seeing them they adored: but some doubted. 18And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. 19Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
Why two sets of readings today? The Church lets each country’s bishops adjust the calendar for their people. In most of the United States, including all of Florida, the Ascension is moved from this Thursday to Sunday, so more people can celebrate it at Sunday Mass. Catholics in many other countries celebrate it today. In the United States, today is instead the feast of Saint Matthias, the apostle chosen to take the place of Judas.
In the United StatesCelebrated today in Florida and most U.S. dioceses
Saint Matthias, Apostle
First Reading
15In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said: (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty:) 16Men, brethren, the scripture must needs be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus: 17Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
20For it is written in the book of Psalms: Let their habitation become desolate, and let there be none to dwell therein. And his bishopric let another take. 21Wherefore of these men who have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day wherein he was taken up from us, one of these must be made a witness with us of his resurrection. 23And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24And praying, they said: Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25To take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Responsorial Psalm
1Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.
2Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
3From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
4The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.
5Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high:
6And looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
7Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:
8That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people.
Gospel
9As the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. 10If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; as I also have kept my Father's commandments, and do abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be filled. 12This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. 13Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends, if you do the things that I command you. 15I will not now call you servants: for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth. But I have called you friends: because all things whatsoever I have heard of my Father, I have made known to you. 16You have not chosen me: but I have chosen you; and have appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit should remain: that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17These things I command you, that you love one another.
Text: Douay-Rheims (public domain). Reading citations: cpbjr/catholic-readings-api (MIT license). The Lectionary text used at Mass in the United States is the NABRE, which you can read at USCCB.