Saturday, 7th Week of Easter
John ends his gospel account by saying that much more could have written about Jesus. Jesus’ actions – his miracles, healings, words, and deeds – are not limited to the few years during which he walked the earth. From the very beginning of creation, the Son of God was at work – intervening in history and preparing the world for his coming. Now that he is seated at the right of the Father, Christ continues to perform his mission through his Church – the Community of Disciples empowered by his Spirit. Christ’s Church, filled with the Holy Spirit, continues the work of bringing the light and the life of the Gospel to people everywhere.
We are familiar with the life-stories of saints – Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Ignatius of Loyola, Therese of Lisieux, Vincent de Paul, Mother Teresa, John XXII, John Paul II, etc. Their life-stories speak of the great things Jesus have done. They are ‘gospels’ in themselves.
Each of us, by virtue of our baptism, receives this commission; we too are sent to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus. Last Sunday, on the Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension, we were reminded of Christ’s commission to us: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” This is an expression of the Lord’s faith in each of us. He believes that we are capable of carrying on his saving mission.
Let us allow the Lord’s faith in us to empower us as we go to proclaim the Gospel. For, indeed, he enables us to go, not just to bring the Good News, but to become good news ourselves to others – to our family and friends, to our household and neighborhood, to our social network, to our parish ministry and community, to our divided nation, to our wounded world. The risen-ascended Lord empowers us to go and show goodness, kindness, and gentleness to people… to go and affirm them, appreciate them, encourage them… to go and be an instrument of dialogue and understanding… to go and be a channel of reconciliation, peace, and unity… to go and build up the kingdom of God. The Lord believes in each of us – that is why he tells us: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.”
Parokya ni Osong 