REFLECTIONS TODAY
After bringing salvation to humanity by offering his life on the cross, Jesus ascends into heaven to share in the glory of the Father. His mission successfully accomplished, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from the disciples’ sight (First Reading). Did he leave them to manage on their own? Does he tell the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, “Now, you take charge”?
Today’s Gospel shows us that Jesus does not sever his involvement with humanity when he ascends into heaven. In fact, Matthew, even if he knows that Jesus has gone to the sphere and glory of God, does not describe the actual, visible event. Rather, he emphasizes the presence of Jesus, albeit no longer in a spatial and temporal order, as when he was preaching the Gospel.
The risen Savior opens a new chapter when he commissions the eleven apostles to “make disciples of all nations” (v 19). In effect, he calls on each one of us to baptize and teach those who will believe in him through our word. He counts on us all to continue the evangelization that he himself began. This is confirmed by his final words of assurance to his disciples: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (v 20).
The mission is not to be narrowly interpreted in terms of proselytizing or catechetical work. While these are important, Jesus puts more emphasis on observing “all that I have commanded you” (v 20). He refers to his teaching when he walked among us, which can be summed up as love of God and love of neighbor.
Sadly, Jesus’ teaching is slowly being forgotten in this highly consumeristic age. One’s innate goodness now matters less than one’s possessions. In their desire for upward mobility, both the young and the old gladly step over others to get to where they want to be. The popular notion of success is dictated to a large extent by a consumeristic culture that puts a premium on material possessions rather than on spiritual values.
Jesus’ teachings must be restored to its rightful place in the hearts of men and women if we do not want to be ruled by consumer monsters. Three revered institutions—the Church, the school, and the family—should seize the initiative and reassert their primacy over the digital media which now dictate what people think, believe, and feel.
In celebrating World Communications Day, the Church acknowledges the role that modern technology plays in spreading the Good News. At the same time, the Church enjoins the faithful to be vigilant against the misuse of technology by forces of evil. Amid confusion and temptation, may the words of Jesus strengthen us: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (v 20).
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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
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