jesus commissions his disciples

Today's Readings

jesus commissions his disciples 

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Mt 28:16-20

¹⁶The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. ¹⁷When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. ¹⁸Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Reflection:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit. The Most Holy Trinity is the Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. They are the three Divine Persons. But they are not persons in “essence” as we understand from the philosophical viewpoint. They are but one true God. There is no “head and follower” or “first and last” or “superior and inferior.” They are one, equal, and united. They manifest themselves through love.

God the Father, out of love, creates, gives life, and sustains. He provides and gives everything so we can live fully and fruitfully. But we rebelled, ran away, fell, and sinned. Our God is a merciful Father who desires only the good of his children. So out of his great love for us, the Father sends his only Son.

Jesus reveals to us the words and works of the Father. The Son communicates God’s love for us so that we come to know God. We realize the Father’s love for us through the preaching and healing of Jesus, especially through his supreme self-giving on the cross and his rising from death.

We know of the Father’s lasting love with the coming of the Holy Spirit. The empowering love of the Holy Spirit assures the continuing presence of the Father and of the saving work of Jesus in our lives. The Holy Spirit sanctifies and strengthens us. The Holy Spirit continues what Jesus did, encouraging us to remember and live the words and works of Jesus and the love of the Father and the Son.

In the Gospel, Jesus commands us to act in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Out of love, the Most Holy Trinity creates, saves, and sanctifies. Jesus sends us to proclaim that Trinitarian love to all nations.

“Three Persons equal in majesty,

undivided in splendor, yet one Lord, one God”

(Preface, Holy Trinity).

What practical implications has the Trinity for you?