The Solemnity of the Ascension
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
Why Galilee? This is where they experienced their first call to be disciples. Now Jesus is sending them on their future mission.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Why would they doubt? They still are overwhelmed by the reality of the Risen Jesus. They see and touch him but how can this possibly be? Then Jesus approached and said to them,
By approaching them, Jesus wants to alleviate their doubts that it is not a ghost they are seeing, but the Risen Christ in his glorified flesh."All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Though his death and resurrection and in his role as Jesus, the Christ, he receives power from the Father. He is the Lord of all.
This is line with Jesus telling the disciples earlier that he has received all from the Father in his humanity. Thus, he speaks the words of the Father and does the deeds of the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus now conveys his power and authority on the apostles to preach, baptize and make disciples. Earlier on Easter Sunday, at his first appearance to them, he told them: "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then he breathed on them the Holy Spirit.
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.
He gives them three commissions united in one.
As he discipled them, so now they are to disciple others in his name. They are to do this by first witnessing to and evangelizing others in his name.
Then they are to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This will enable them to free from alienation from God, share in the divine life of God and be rooted in the community of believers.
Then they are to catechize the disciples by teaching them what Jesus taught and did.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
Jesus promises to remain with them as they fulfill their mission. He will always be the Lord of their lives. He will send the Holy Spirit also to be with them, guiding them in the proclamation of the truth of salvation. Jesus will strengthen them through the gift of his Body and Blood.
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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