By 10:18 AM

Feast of the Holy Trinity Gospel Reflections Mt 28:16-20 B


The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.

"Eleven": as of yet Judas had not been replaced. This happens when the disciples return to the Upper Room and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. There they elect Matthias.
This final scene in Matthews’ Gospel occurs in Galilee; in Luke’s Gospel it occurs in Judea, on the Mt of Olives outside of Jerusalem. The difference is the theological perspective of each writer.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

"to worship, while doubting" sounds like a contradiction. Seeing Jesus in his risen and glorified state of being brings them to bow down before Jesus in adoration and wonder. At the same time, their doubt may be their own role, their future, what they are to do as disciples. Their doubt will be cleared up with Jesus’ next statement.
Have we ever experienced some doubt about our role in life, our future?
Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Jesus as the Son of God had all power. But now Jesus, in his glorified humanity and as the Risen Lord and Savior, states that all power has been given him by the Father. Now, he, in turn, empowers the apostles and those who follow them with a share in that power and authority. The effectiveness of that power will await the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
What power of Jesus do you share?

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Their mission is clear: a)make disciples; b) baptize; c) teach, d) obedience
Outside of baptism, we are called to make disciples and to teach the truth by word and deed in obedience to Jesus. How well are we fulfilling this commission?

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
Knowing that Jesus was about to leave them was a concern to them. But knowing that he promised to be with them always must have been a consolation. He gives us that same consolation. How conscious are we of this presence of Jesus?
What is not said here is that the Spirit also will be with them and us. How conscious are we of this reality as well?
What does this passage say to you? How do you apply these words of Jesus to your life?

About the Author

Jesus said that we are to go to the ends of the world, proclaiming the Gospel of Salvation. Our recent Holy Fathers have urged us to use the social media to accomplish this task. This is just one attempt to respond to both calls. Join me in this effort.

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