Make disciples to all nations.
Listening the Spirit
Lord, thank you for the gift of Your Word so that all your people may know and love You more and understand You better. As I go about my day, may I not forget the scriptures you have opened up for me. Help me to recognize how You want for me to apply Your Word to my daily life. Holy Spirit, guided by Your Word, may You enlighten my mind and enkindle in my heart a greater love for You and for others in my family and in the world. Amen.
Listening the Word: Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Reflection
In the Gospel of Mattew Jesus commands to Make disciples of all nations; The purpose of the Church´s mission is not to baptize people, but to make disciples, people who live according to the teaching of Jesus even without knowing it , or even if they are not fully aware that they are following the teaching of Jesus, the important thing is that they do.
How important it is for missionaries to be fruitful in mission. One of the evident ways to be efficacious in mission is to build a community, witnessing the gospel together. In this way, we clearly show the way of life of Jesus. Since the main commandment is the commandment of Love, being a community where people love one another is the best way. In the acts of the apostles, it is written that a lot of people were attracted to the new way of life by the way the first group of disciples were living together, putting all things together, being one mind, and one soul.
Making disciples, it is not a question of baptizing, it is more important, more necessary to show, to be witnesses of a way of life that can be appealing to people. The way that Jesus was living on earth was not in preaching, doing miracles only, but, just being a carpenter. It is not the extraordinary people who can attract people. It is ordinary life, small ordinary life according to the commandment of Jesus , the commandment of love. This is the best way to make disciples to all the nations.
Jesus assures his presence, -I am with you always- to be witnesses it is not always easy, especially for the disciples, being witnesses requires to be completely linked to Christ even up to death. Assuring God´s presence, we feel protected, we feel sure.
The missionaries do not need to forget Jesus’ presence. In the mission we need to be witnesses. However, sometimes we forget for whom we are working for. We may have many projects, many personal achievements that we may just rely on our personal strengths and end up in fatigue. We are called to remember that whatever we are doing is to share the good news to every person. Being witnesses is quite demanding and relying on our strengths may not be enough. Thus, it is a call to put God as the center of the mission, so that truly we will be His witnesses through our words and actions. “I am with you always”..., God never leaves us alone; we know that we are not perfect and sometimes we may have our mistakes, but while knowing that someone is supporting us, life becomes simple, when and we find support, we feel secured.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I become a true disciple and witness of Jesus through simple acts of love, unity, and service in my daily life?
- When difficulties, fatigue, or personal ambitions arise in mission, how can I deepen my trust in Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always”?
