As we meditate on the last chapter of the Gospel according to Mark, the message of Paul VI to Christians comes to my mind. While speaking to some members of Lay Council 48 years ago during the General Audience, Pope Paul VI said: “Contemporary man listens more willingly to witnesses than to masters, or if he listens to masters, it is because they are witnesses”. This message reminds us of the importance of conforming our lives to the Gospel.
In a world that is fragile, where insecurity, conflicts, and fear of the future create anxiety in people’s life, many are in search of believers who radiate serenity, joy, hope and charity, despite the trials and contradictions that affect them as well. Who else can give such joy, hope, serenity, and love more than the Risen Jesus? It is this mission that he entrusted to his disciples and to us today.
Indeed, the Risen Jesus sends his disciples on mission after revealing to them the secrets of the Kingdom of God. Until the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, the disciples still had doubts: Patiently Jesus accompanied them. Knowing well their struggles, he promised to send them the Holy Spirit.
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”
On the Pentecost day, Peter and the disciples preached to the crowd saying: “This Jesus whom you crucified, God has made him Christ and Savior and in his names repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached.” Sending his disciple on mission is a mark of trust from Christ. By virtue of our Baptism and Confirmation we have received this same mission. On us Christ places the same mark of trust. We do not need to be perfect before engaging ourselves explicitly in this mission because the Holy Spirit has preceded us.
Preaching Means Sharing our Faith Experiences
The disciples preached based on their experiences with Jesus. To some extent we can say that it was the Spirit of God speaking in and through them. So, preaching the Gospel is above all sharing our faith experiences with others in simplicity and respect under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“Whoever that believes is baptized and shall be saved, but whoever that does not shall be damned”
The mission should lead people into believing and through believing be saved. Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ and Savior can cast out demons, and they are victorious over the evil symbolized by the serpent and poison. The first sign that accompanies the mission of the disciples is the casting out of demons. In our world today, the existence of demons is sometimes seen as something symbolic and not real, yet this was part of Jesus’ mission. Moreover, it is one of the signs given by Jesus to signify the coming of the Kingdom of God, (Cf Luke 11:20). He who is victorious over the power of satan, evil and sin is already saved, shared in the victory of the risen Jesus.
For Jesus, those who believe in him will be able to open up with confidence to the whole universe (speak in new languages), speak language of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, etc. Those who believe will have a saving influence on others (the sick will get well). Didn’t Jesus tell us that “He who believes in Him will do the same works as He did. He will do even greater works because he was going to the father”? (Jn 14,12).
It gives joy to the heart knowing that Christ is with us and will always confirm our words with signs, (miracles). For this reason, we should look unto him and not on our limits and weaknesses. What could give us more blessing and joy than to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to spread the fragrance of the Gospel around us? Happy Feast of St Anthony of Padua to all!!!
