MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
Matthew describes Jesus’ farewell, tracing the power that must orient his disciples forever, the features that must mark his Church to faithfully fulfil her mission.
The point of departure is Galilee. There Jesus calls them together. The resurrection shouldn’t lead them to forget what they lived with him in Galilee. There they have heard him speak of God with moving parables. There they have seen him relieving suffering, offering God’s forgiveness and welcoming the most forgotten. It’s precisely this that they must keep transmitting.
Among his disciples around the Risen Jesus there are «believers» and there are those who «waver». The narrator is realistic. The disciples «bow down». Undoubtedly they want to believe, but in some are awakened doubt and indecision. Maybe they’re scared, they can’t take in all that he signifies. Matthew knows the fragile faith of the Christian communities. If they don’t count on Jesus, they will quickly fade out.
Jesus «comes close» and enters into contact with them. He has the force and the power that they need. The Risen One has received from the Father the authority of God’s Son with «full power in heaven and on earth». If they rely on him, they won’t waver.
Jesus indicates to them with complete precision what must be their mission. It’s not really «teach doctrine», it’s not just «announce the Risen One». Undoubtedly Jesus’ disciples will have to take care of diverse aspects: «give testimony of the Risen One», «proclaim the Gospel», «plant communities»… but all will finally be oriented to one objective: «make disciples» of Jesus.
This is our mission: make «followers» of Jesus who know his message, resonate with his project, learn to live like him and reproduce his presence today in the world. Activities so fundamental as Baptism, commitment of adhesion to Jesus, and the teaching of «all he has commanded» are ways to learn to be his disciples. Jesus promises them his presence and constant help. They won’t be alone or left abandoned. Not even if they are few. Not even if there are just two or three.
That’s the Christian community. The power of the Risen One sustains the community with his Spirit. All is oriented to learn and teach to live as Jesus and from Jesus. He continues alive in their communities. He continues with us and among us healing, forgiving, welcoming… saving.
José Antonio Pagola
Translator: Fr. Jay VonHandorf
