because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.

Samaritan Opposition

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?”

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.

He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’

There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.