Faith Reflection

Luke 24:46-53 - Jesus commissions the eleven, ascends to heaven.

The author of the gospel of Luke is also recognised as the author of the Acts of the Apostles. The works are regarded as originally being intended as a two volume single work sometimes referred to as Luke-Acts. Their separation occurred in the development of the canon of the Bible. In today’s gospel and first reading we get the very end of the first volume and the very beginning of the second volume of the Luke-Acts work – the very point of intersection between the two books. The gospel of Luke is the only one of the four canonical gospels that describes the Ascension of Jesus and, to reiterate it, the writer begins with the same event at the beginning of Acts.

If we regard the two volumes of Luke-Acts as a single work, we see the events as all part of the one story. The life and ministry of Jesus is only the first half of the story. The story continues through the Book of Acts as the disciples and believers enter into a new way of witnessing to the ministry of Jesus – attempting to take on that ministry themselves and spread the message even further than Jesus was able to do in his life. Seen in this light, the gospel account of Jesus’ ministry establishes a model and a pattern for the ministry that the followers of Jesus seek to emulate in their own lives after his Ascension. The Ascension is the pivotal event between the two volumes but it was also the pivotal event in the ministry of Jesus. The Ascension, and the subsequent events of Pentecost, was essential for the shift in emphasis from the ministry being carried on by Jesus to the same ministry carried on by millions of people throughout time.

Scriptural context – Luke-Acts

The two works of Luke and Acts, ascribed to the same writer, are both addressed to the same person, Theophilus. However, the Greek name, Theophilus, means ‘Friend of God’ or ‘Beloved of God’. Theophilus may have been a particular person or may have been a literary device by the author – using the name to imply that the books were written to any ‘Friend of God’. There is a common style employed in the writing of the two works and a common theology runs through both works and it is these commonalities that lead scholars to conclude that the two works share the same author.

Gospel Focus – A message for all people

One of the defining features of the Gospel of Luke is the fact that the message preached and practised by Jesus made salvation available to all people. At times in the gospel some of the Jewish audience became quite angry at Jesus because he said that pagans and gentiles were also included in the salvation he promised – something they regarded as exclusive to the ‘chosen’ people. The two accounts of the Ascension make very clear that the message and ministry of Jesus are to be carried to all nations – even to the ends of the earth!

Living the Gospel – You will be my witnesses

Organisers of the twenty-third World Youth Day hosted by Sydney in 2008 took as its theme verse 8 of the passage from Acts 1 that is today’s first reading: ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses.’ The choice of this theme for a worldwide gathering of young people of faith is a significant reminder of the call of Jesus to go out to the ends of the earth and to bear witness to his message. These are the final words on earth attributed to Jesus and they echo to us through time.

By Greg Sunter

Class Masses

Week	Date	Class	Chosen theme
	Term 2 2025
6	30.5.2025	5/6 L	Reconciliation Week
7	6.6.2025	5/6 A	Pentecost
8	13.6.2025	3/4 B	Holy Trinity
9	20.6.2025	3/4MK	The Good Shepherd
10	27.6.2025	5/6 O	Pilgrims of Hope - HOPE
11	4.7.2025		NO MASS
	Term 3 2025
2	25.7.2025	5/6 N	Grandparents Day
2	1.8.2025	1/2 S	St John Vianney Day
3	8.8.2025	1/2 D	St Mary of the Cross
4	9.8.2025		NO MASS
5	22.8.2025	1/2 C	Jesus’ Love
6	29.8.2025	0 L	Creation
7	5.9.2025	0 C	Father’s Day
8	12.9.2025		NO MASS
9	19.9.2025	5/6 J	Friendship
	Term 4 2025
1	10.10.2025	1/2 B	Teachers' Day
2	17.10.2025		NO MASS
3	24.10.2025	0 W	Children of God - God Loves Me

The Vibrant Parish Formation

St John Vianney Parish is excited to invite you to our upcoming Vibrant Parish Formation Series – a dynamic journey designed to deepen our parish life.

Come for one Tuesday each month for engaging sessions featuring local and international guest speakers who will guide us in exploring the five essential characteristics of a vibrant parish:Worship • Evangelisation • Formation • Fellowship • Service

Session Dates (6:30 PM – 9:00 PM):

Tuesday, 13th May
Tuesday, 10th June
Tuesday, 1st July
Tuesday, 12th August
Tuesday, 9th September

If you would like to attend, please contact the parish office at st.john.vianney.mulgrave@gmail.com

Sacraments 2025 – Confirmation & First Holy Communion

St John Vianney Parish is preparing for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in 2025.

Confirmation

📅 Sacrament of Confirmation: Sunday 17th August at 1:00 PM

Enrolment closes on Friday 30th May.

First Holy Communion

📅 Information Sessions: Tuesday 5th August at 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM

📅 Sacrament of Holy Communion : 15-16 & 22- 23 November at 6pm and 10am

Attendance at one information session is required in order to receive an enrolment form and details of further preparation dates.

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