We
are reading this year the gospel of Matthew. Well, among the three synoptic
gospels, Matthew is the only one not to mention the ascension of Jesus. Luke, on
the contrary, writes about it twice—at the end of his gospel and at the
beginning of the Acts of the Apostles (we have heard this latter account in the
first reading).
Today’s
gospel selection is the conclusion of Matthew’s gospel. It is about the
appearance of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection—the only one with
the appearance to the women. Matthew tells us that this appearance takes place
on a mountain in Galilee. But he does not tell us that after this appearance
Jesus is taken up to heaven. Matthew’s gospel ends with the last words of Jesus
to his disciples. But, precisely because they are his last words, they are so
important for us; somehow, they could be considered his last will and testament
before leaving us. So, we have to listen to them with a special attention and
keep them within our hearts. In the last sermon to his disciples, Jesus makes a
statement, gives a mission and makes a promise. Let us see
each one of these elements.
First
of all, Jesus makes a solemn statement about himself: “All power in
heaven and on earth has been given to me.” It is important to make these
preliminary remarks, because they are at the root of what follows. Jesus can
give us a mission and we can carry it out only because all power in heaven and
on earth has been given to him. Jesus is explaining to his disciples what has
happened with his death and resurrection; Jesus is revealing the profound
meaning of his paschal mystery: “All power in heaven and on earth has been
given to me.” The One who, with his death on a cross, seemed a loser, in
reality has become the Lord of the universe.
Secondly,
Jesus entrusts his disciples with a mission to accomplish: “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.” It has been called the “Great Commission” of Jesus
to his disciples. First of all, please notice that “therefore” at the beginning
of Jesus’ words. It means that we have to accomplish this mission exactly
because, as we were saying, all power has been given to him. Jesus, with these
words, is requesting three things from us. Number one, “Go and make disciples
of all nations.” Since his power is universal, Jesus gives us a universal
mission: we have to make disciples of all nations. The gospel is not
only for some people, but for all. The evangelization should be addressed to
everybody, without exception. Number two, “baptize them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Once become Christian through
faith, people should be baptized: Baptism is the sign of belonging to the
Church, which is the family of the disciples. Baptism is to be given in the
name of the Most Holy Trinity, which means that the newly baptized, before
belonging to a human community, belong to the Father and to the Son and to the
Holy Spirit. Number three, “teach them to observe all that I have commanded
you.” Our duty is not only to proselytize and then, once attained conversion,
to leave the newly converts to their own devices; we have to accompany their
growth; we have to educate them in faith and Christian life. The Church has the
duty to hand on the moral teachings of the gospel.
Finally,
Jesus makes a promise: “I am with you always (Ego vobiscum sum omnibus diebus), until the end of the age.”
Jesus is about to leave his disciples. He gives them a mission to accomplish,
not easy at all. The disciples could feel lost: “What! You give us a great
commission, and you go away, leaving us alone! How can we do what you expect of
us? We were not able to keep close to you at the moment of your passion, and
now, left alone, we should go to the ends of the earth, to convert all nations?
It sounds crazy.” And behold, Jesus reassures his disciples: “I am with you
always, until the end of the age.” If Matthew does not speak of the ascension,
nevertheless, with these words, he discloses the deepest meaning of this
mystery: Jesus is now in heaven, but without leaving the earth. He continues to
be with us and to work, with us and through us, for the salvation of the world.
Q
