“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
These words of Jesus are known as the “Great Commission”. We can see them as his final “marching orders” to the eleven disciples who had been his companions for the past three years. These disciples were now instructed to bring the message of new life to the whole world. Fortunately for us, with the grace of the Holy Spirit upon them, they were able to carry out this commission.
But these words were not meant to apply only to eleven men on a mountain. Christianity has thrived throughout two thousand plus years because others took seriously this great commission of Jesus. We, too, have been commissioned by Jesus to “make disciples of all nations.” What a daunting, scary task! How often we shrink from it, for fear that we might offend someone. Yet Jesus ended his commission with the comforting words: “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” We can stand on this promise. He will be with us as we carry out his commission. He will help us to overcome fear, pride, or anything else that prevents us from sharing his word.
Through baptism, Jesus lives in us. He who died for us has given us new life, and we can rejoice now and in heaven when we share that life with others. There are many ways we can do this. We can feed the hungry, comfort the lonely, and visit the sick. We can work to correct injustices. We can build strong, loving families. We can invite people to our churches, and support and assist our local parish priests and the church community. In all these ways we bear witness to our loving God who has provided us with ways to share in his divine goodness. In all these ways, we build God’s Kingdom on earth.
Jesus, today, we gaze on your glory and know that all things are in your hands!
-Rosemary Pitawanakwat
