Thursday Reflection

Daily Gospel Reflection May 21^st 2020

Gospel                                                          MT 28:16-20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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.”

Dear Friends and Family,

            “They worshiped, but they doubted.” Those who walked with and learned from Jesus for three years, who witnessed incredible miracles as well as the Resurrection, doubted.  How can that be?  All we have to do is look at our fallen nature to understand that we have trust issues.  At the root of our disobedience against God is a lack of trust in God’s loves for us.  Adam and Eve wanted to know more rather than trust the love of God which surrounded them in paradise.  Moses struck the rock twice, doubting that God would provide water to the people.  Thomas doubted the Resurrection when all those around him said that Jesus had risen.  If these chosen people as well as the eleven disciples had moments of doubt, should we be surprised if on occasion we doubt as well?  This is where Jesus steps in to help his doubtful friends.  He gives the disciples, as well as us, a three-fold task; one, make disciples, two, baptize, and three, teach and observe all that Jesus has commanded.  These tasks give us a purpose to focus on others and that focus strengthens our relationship with God.

            If you have ever taught someone, you know the action of teaching drives you to a deep understanding of the material or the action you are teaching.  If we make disciples of others, we become better disciples.  If we help others embrace the faith to the point of conversion, our conviction grows deeper.  Ask any parent that has accepted the light of Christ in a lit baptismal candle and they will tell you how they have grown in their faith as they share it with their child. Finally, as we teach and observe what Jesus commanded, we become more Christ-like ourselves.  All of these actions, inspired by the Holy Spirit, will dispel our doubts and lead us closer to God.  We should take courage in the knowledge that others have gone before us and they too have doubted.  The courage comes when we realize the apostles didn’t remain locked in their doubt; they followed Jesus’ commands and went on to become saints.  This is a pattern and process that will be repeated till the end of the age, so take courage and be prepared to leave your doubt behind.