Introduction
There was a time when “Ascension Thursday” was part of my vocabulary and experience, just like fasting from midnight before going to Mass and receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. Today, we imagine that seven equals ten and we fast for just one hour before going to Communion; or we realise that the emphasis ought to be on being missionary disciples, not blindly sticking to externals.
One of my blessings that God gifts me is to be invited to join a group of young adults to help them develop their familiarity with See, Judge, Act. What impresses me about them is not their commitment to attending meetings so much as their commitment to putting their faith into action.
At a recent meeting, they reflected on actions that they have committed to and their efforts to draw others into their actions. It struck me as I listened to them, that they were living the message of this Gospel, almost two thousand years after Jesus commissioned his disciples to continue his work.
Yes, indeed, I am blessed. May this Gospel bring you God’s blessings as you engage in this Enquiry.
The Gospel
The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’ (Matthew 28:16-20)
The Enquiry
See
This Gospel story is sometimes referred to as “The Great Commission.” Imagine that you hear the Gospel being proclaimed at Mass. What do you hear? What do you learn about Jesus from this Gospel?
What has been the impact of Jesus’ directions to his disciples? How has his meeting with his disciples affected you and those close to you?
Why do most of the disciples fall down before Jesus? What does this tell you about them? What about the few who “hesitated”? Is hesitation significant?
Judge
How does this story fit with your experience of being a Christian? Do you see yourself as someone who has been sent by Jesus to be one of his missionaries?
Does Jesus commission his followers to get involved in social justice situations, eg, the plight of the Lebanese in Beirut, or the people left homeless because of the cost-of-living crisis in your city, or those whose lives have been ruined by some form of addiction?
Does meeting Jesus in this Gospel make you feel uncomfortable? What does Jesus say that challenges you about how you live your faith?
Act
How would you describe the mission of the lay faithful (those who are baptised, but who are not priests, brothers or nuns) in the world you experience?
What small action can you carry out to help to accomplish this mission?
Who can you involve in your action, when, where and how often?
Image Source: Lyricmac at English Wikipedia (Creator), The Great Commission, at the Cathedral Parish of Saint Patrick in El Paso Wikimedia, CC BY 2.5
