Reflection: Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:16-20 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

The opening scene of today’s Gospel is on a mountain in Galilee. Jesus had instructed his disciples to travel to this mountain. When the disciples arrived Jesus appeared to them. When they realized that it was Jesus who was in their midst, they were excited and overjoyed! And they worshiped Him!

However, within minutes, their faith and joy began to dissipate. Matthew writes: “They began to doubt.” What was it that caused Jesus’ disciples to move from great joy and excitement to doubt within a few seconds? Did they wonder if Jesus was simply an illusion? Did they not believe that this apparition truly was Jesus? How sad it must have been for Jesus when he realized that his disciples did not trust that he truly was with them once again!

Jesus approached them and spoke to them. He said, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He then sends these faithful followers of his to “go forth and preach.” He commissions his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations.” They were to baptize and teach. Their mission was to share with peoples of all nations what Jesus had taught them.

I wonder how the disciples reacted to Jesus’ instruction? Were they excited about this possibility? Or were they apprehensive about this mission? Were they concerned about leaving their families? Or were they elated and filled with joy to have Jesus in their midst once again? Were their hearts overflowing with love for Jesus? Just imagine this wondrous scene!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jesus appeared to us? Ask yourself: how do you think you would respond if Jesus appeared to you and then instructed you to “Go forth and teach all nations?” Seriously, ask yourself that question and take a few moments to notice your inner reaction.

Would you be thrilled that Jesus had chosen and entrusted you with his mission of “teaching all nations?” Or did you find yourself coming up with a variety of reasons and excuses why you are unable to “go and teach all nations?” It is easy to come up with a wide variety of excuses about why we cannot “go forth and teach all nations.” We may say: “I have commitments, I am needed at home, I have a job and my family needs the salary. I can’t just take off to go and “teach all nations.”

And for most of us that is true. We do have responsibilities to our families and our community. However, for most of us our call is to preach the Gospel every day, right where we are. We can preach the Gospel every day: by what we say, how we say it, what we do and how we do it! The familiar adage: “Actions speak louder than words” is very true! Every day we have the ability to “preach the Gospel” without saying a word. We can “preach the Gospel” simply by who we are, what we do and how we do it!

Words are simple and sometimes distracting. To preach how we live is a full time commitment. The gift is: if we choose to preach the Gospel, we simply need to live our lives in a loving and generous way. However, we have to make this choice! No one else can do it for us. So: what will we choose?