Saturday in the Octave of Easter
All of us our called to be disciples of Jesus, but in many ways I often feel like I flounder in trying to live out this call. Today’s readings give me hope, since we see that Jesus’ companions (His apostles) were ordinary people who had times of doubt and struggle. Despite their weakness, Jesus chooses them to go forth and preach the Good News. We are called to do the same.
In today’s gospel reading, Mary Magdalene and the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus, return to tell the others about Jesus’ resurrection. Despite multiple testimonies, the apostles do not believe. Jesus later appears among the apostles and reprimands them for their “hardness of heart.” Even though the disciples are hesitant in their belief, Jesus sends them forth saying, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Jesus understands that His followers are still struggling to understand the scope of Jesus’ mission and purpose. However, Jesus also recognizes that through the outpouring of His Spirit, these disciples will become on fire for Christ.
In the reading from Acts, we are given a glimpse of how the apostles have been transformed since the early days following the resurrection. Peter and John have just healed a man, and the leaders and scribes are trying to assess the situation. They “perceive” the apostles to be “uneducated, ordinary men”, and yet they are amazed with the confidence and power that the apostles demonstrate in both their words and deeds. The elders attempt to suppress the apostles in their proclamation of truth of Jesus and His life, but they refuse to obey. “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” It is hard to recognize these men as the same ones who were unable to accept the testimony of those who first witnessed Jesus’ resurrection. These companions of Jesus are now risking everything to go forth and tell the world about Jesus.
In many ways, we are also companions of Jesus. He accompanies us in our daily lives, even when we are not always aware of His presence. I can readily identify with the apostles when the suffering, pain and evil of this world overwhelm my feeble faith. Jesus is aware of our weakness and still sends us forth to share the Gospel. Even though we are ordinary, Jesus invites us to become amazing instruments in the world.
As I reflect on the disciples and their transformation, I am aware that it is God’s Spirit that provides the courage, wisdom, love and mercy that is needed to boldly share Christ with the world. The apostles receive this gift on Pentecost, and we receive this outpouring through the sacraments and the many other ways God shares His grace. The followers of Jesus also have a community to support each other on the journey. We too, have our church and fellowship of believers that provide encouragement as we go forth together on our mission. To be a companion of Jesus, we must seek to grow in our relationship with Him through prayer, scripture and sacrament as well. As we strengthen our friendship with Jesus, we grow in our understanding of His mission and Kingdom, so we are better able to share this with others.
Similar to the early companions of Jesus, we are sent forth to proclaim the Gospel to the world. We are not alone in our mission, since we are members of the Body of Christ who are filled with the Spirit. When we live the Gospel in word and deed, through acts of love, mercy, compassion, and peace we can truly do things that will amaze the world around us. Living a life of faith, even in the most ordinary of circumstances, is the best way to proclaim the Kingdom of God and invite others to join us as followers of Christ.
Eternal God, Jesus shows us the depths of Your love, and calls us to share this with the world. Transform us with Your Spirit that we can go forth and proclaim this Good News. We pray this in Christ’s name. AMEN
Marylynn Herchline