Matthew 28: 19-20
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.
Today the Church remembers the Ascension of the Lord into Heaven. Because it is a weekday, some churches will use these same readings on Sunday. Today we hear Matthew's account of the last words of Jesus to his followers, "Go and make disciples…" Jesus spent the last three or so years teaching and explaining his role in salvation for the world. Now he passes the exhortation to the apostles. These are also the last words in Matthew's gospel. The gospel builds to this final passage. So what is the reader to take from it? Well, on the surface, the followers went out and taught others taking us 2000 years later to where we are today in the faith. What is our role? As Christians we have a responsibility to continue in the faith, to teach the faith, to pass it on. Are you doing this in your family, or are you skipping church on Sundays? Do you say prayers at mealtime with your family? Do you give God thanks at the start and end of the day? Are you a good listener and loving of your coworkers, your neighbors or others which you come in contact? That's just a small part of spreading God's word and making disciples. Finally when times get tough and you feel that God is not present, Jesus's final words to us, "Behold I am with you always, until the end of the age." This should bring us all great comfort and joy. Like a good friend welcoming you into their home, welcome Jesus into your heart today!
