Images by Alyssa Marie Francis
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.."
In the Gospel, Jesus is speaking directly to 11 people, asking each to go forth doing His will and spreading His message. Jesus rose from the dead, and at that moment in Galilee the disciples began to understand everything being asked of them. They were to baptize as many as possible "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19) based on what they saw.
It all starts at baptism for us, the responsibility to share the message of God. We all probably won't be as amazing as John, but we can be just as dedicated within our lives. Pope Francis states "Each Christian and every community must discern the path that the Lord points out, but all of us are asked to obey His call to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the "peripheries" in need of the light of the Gospel" (Joy of the Gospel-24). My interpretation is that there are going to be the obvious times where God is asking us to follow His will and share His message, but also we are asked to find God during the not so obvious times, or the obstacles within our lives.
I learned of the mega importance of obtaining a convalidation/receiving the sacrament of marriage=obvious time in which God is asking me to follow His will and grow the church. I lost my job and an important relationship in my life=not so obvious time I am being asked to trust His will and share His commitment to His children. Even when the situation, the interaction, etc., seems hopeless, God is always there-urging us to recognize and preach.
Reflect: What are some of the ways in your life God asks you to be a disciple of His message? Does Jesus feel closer during those times? What graces or confirmations from Jesus have you experienced, helping to solidify His presence?
Act: Think about the obstacles currently which prevent you from always observing Jesus' will and way....WWJD? Or better yet, what would Jesus say? It is important to recognize we are sinners, but let's strive towards being better women through the use of prayer. Pray the Divine Mercy chaplet today and ask for Jesus' mercy on your sins and those of the whole world.
Matthew 28: 20 “ ...And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
