“All power is given[1] to Me[2] in heaven and on earth. As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you. Go ye, therefore[3], and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And, behold, I am with you[4] all days, even to the consummation of the world. He that believeth[5] and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In My name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them.”
Then He took them out to Mount Olivet[6], raised up His Hands and blessed them. He began to ascend[7] upward, and soon a cloud hid Him from their sight (Fig. 94). Whilst they stood looking sorrowfully after Him, two angels appeared to them in shining white garments, saying: “Ye men of Galilee[8], why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come[9], as you have seen Him going into heaven.”
Hearing these words the apostles fell down and adored God, and returned to Jerusalem with joy[10], praising and blessing God.
Many other things which Jesus did are not related in the Gospel; for St. John thinks that if they were all written, the world itself would not be able to contain all the books. But
- ↑ Given. By God the Father.
- ↑ To Me. The Incarnate Son of God.
- ↑ Therefore. By virtue of My power which I have over the whole world, I give you the mission and the authority to teach the whole world.
- ↑ I am with you. You need not lose courage at the magnitude of the task, for behold I am with you.
- ↑ Believeth. Whatever you teach in My name.
- ↑ Mount Olivet. He willed to ascend into heaven from the same mount where His Passion had begun.
- ↑ Ascend. Rising slowly and with great majesty.
- ↑ Of Galilee. Thus did the angels address them, because all the apostles present were Galileans.
- ↑ Come. In the same visible and glorious way.
- ↑ With joy. They rejoiced, 1. on account of Jesus, because He was glorified and raised to heaven, and 2. on their own account, because both their faith and hope were confirmed by the Ascension of our Lord.
