A reading from the gospel according to Mark 16:15-20:
15 Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages.
18 They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Reflection: Proclaiming the Good News
The time of Jesus’ physical presence on earth has come to an end. The task of continuing His mission of building the Kingdom of God fell on the apostles’ shoulders. With no formal education and only three years of training by Jesus Himself, they are now given the enormous mission to evangelize people through the proclamation of the Good News. Yet they were not being sent alone. Jesus promised to be with them until the end of time (Matthew 28:20). Moreover, they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and amazing signs will accompany them.
When the apostles passed away, the mission of evangelization was passed on to their successors and until now, we have pastors, priests and lay people doing the task of proclaiming the gospel. Yet, every believer for that matter has the duty to become an evangelizer. In our own everyday living, we can show to others what the gospel message is all about. In fact, our loving actions can speak louder than our words. If the believers love one another, the world will know that they are disciples of Jesus (John 13:35).
Spreading the good news is not an easy task. Many people will not listen. Some people will not only discourage but even persecute or kill the messenger. What happened to Jesus can be done to His disciples. Yet, there is no stopping the mission. Every believer or messenger must endure because ultimately, the Kingdom of God will prevail and those who have chosen to persevere will be rewarded with eternal life.
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In this gospel reading, we are presented with Jesus’ final commands to His disciples, a call that extends through the ages to all who follow Him. This Gospel passage, known as the Great Commission, is a foundational moment for Christianity, highlighting the responsibility and the power vested in believers.
Jesus commands, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” This directive is profound in its simplicity and monumental in its scope. It is not merely an invitation; it is an imperative to be ambassadors of God’s love and truth, reaching every corner of the earth. This mission transcends geographical, cultural, and social barriers, emphasizing that the message of Christ is universal, meaning, it is intended for every person, in every situation.
Moreover, Jesus promises that signs will accompany those who believe: they will cast out demons, speak new languages, and overcome deadly threats unharmed. These signs are tokens of God’s sovereignty and the Holy Spirit’s power working through believers, affirming the gospel’s truth and vitality. This supernatural endorsement was not just for the apostles but is a continuing reassurance for us today that God empowers and protects His messengers.
Finally, as Jesus is taken up into heaven, the disciples go out and preach everywhere, with the Lord working with them and confirming the word through accompanying signs. This collaboration between the divine and the human illustrates a beautiful partnership.God does not leave His followers to carry out His commands alone but is actively involved, supporting and enabling them.
As modern-day disciples, we are called to embrace this Great Commission with the same zeal and trust in God’s power. Whether through our words or our actions, in our homes, communities, or across the globe, we are to be carriers of the light and love of Christ. Let this passage inspire you to step out in faith, to spread the good news, and to witness the mighty hand of God moving in and through your life as you fulfill His call.
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