On Being Missionary Disciples
(Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118; Mk 16:9-15)
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Two themes continue to dominate the readings after Easter: faith in the Risen Lord, and the commission to go and proclaim the Good News.
These two themes synchronize precisely with the two dominant themes of Pope Francis: the disciple is one who has had a personal encounter with the Risen Lord, and who cannot help but share that good news with others.
The gospel begins with the first focus on faith in Jesus as the Risen Lord. It is interesting that Mark, like the other evangelists, stresses that Jesus rose early on the first day of the week. That is because for all of them, the resurrection of Jesus is a brand new creation, a new world order.
The reason Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene first is probably because she, of all his disciples, received his forgiveness and healing the most. She was not only forgiven her past sins, but also was healed of seven demons. Perhaps they were addictions to alcoholism, drugs, sex, gossip to make herself feel better, lying to cover her mistakes, stealing to support her habits and finally perhaps coarse language to act tough. Whatever they were, she was the woman in the gospels who had been forgiven most and now was able to show much love, so it would be natural for Jesus to appear to her first.
What we see next is the unbelief on the part of the other disciples, who stubbornly refuse to believe Mary as well as the disciples who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Jesus finally has to appear to them and upbraid them for their lack of faith and stubbornness – just like their ancestors. However, he forgives them and slides right into the second theme of Easter – the commission to proclaim the Good News.
That theme is what the first reading is all about. Peter and John were imprisoned for healing a man in the name of Jesus. In fact, the religious leaders who arrested them had to admit they had performed a “notable sign” which is a reminder of the many signs Jesus performed in the gospel of John.
When commanded not to preach or teach in the name of Jesus again, they respond it is better to listen to God than to listen to these leaders, and also they simply could not keep from “speaking about what we have seen and heard.” What a powerful example of missionary disciples they are for us.
In fact, that is exactly the stance that Pope Francis takes when he speaks of discipleship as missionary discipleship. Once again, a disciple for him is one who has had a personal experience of Jesus Christ and does not need a lot of training or education to simply go out and share that experience with others.
Pope Francis writes, “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think this invitation is not meant for him or her, since no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.” Pope Francis goes on to say, “For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others?”
Youth team conducting a confirmation retreat in Beauval
One example of missionary disciples in Canada is the existence of the National Evangelization Team (NET), a group of young people who have themselves encountered Jesus as Risen Lord, and who now are spread around the country putting on retreats and workshops for youth to help them come to know Jesus Christ as well. A team was in the diocese of McKenzie-Fort Smith for many months, organizing and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ among the youth of the diocese, and now in the Archdiocese of Keewatin-The Pas.
The Eucharist is itself an event in which we encounter the Risen Lord – through his Word, receiving His Body and Blood and through our fellowship with one another. Actually, the primary presence of Jesus in a celebration of the Eucharist is not in the host or in the tabernacle – it is in the person next to you. That is the challenge – it is much easier to recognize Jesus in the first two modes than in a person we may not like but are called to love.
May our celebration deepen our encounter with Jesus as Risen Lord, help us recognize him in one another, and empower us to go out as missionary disciples to manifest our faith in Jesus Christ.
Oh yes, once we are the chosen ones from the Lord, we have to go out spread the word about Jesus Christ that he is risen. He wants us teach others about his faith and how to recognize God. Evangelize to people that Jesus Christ appeared to them and share their experience on how Jesus appeared to them. Just like Peter and John healed this man by in Jesus’ name and they were thrown in prison because there is still certain people who do not believe them. Finally , the guards realize they are doing the wrong thing because there was a sign about Jesus . There is still certain people who still thinks you are inheriting false gods and you are following the demon. We are missionary disciples when Jesus has chosen us and we have to spread the Good News. Amen
Thanks Bishop Lavoie for the truthfulness of the risen Lord and be able to love one another. Gracias ! Praise the Lord.
So, the gospel reading for Sunday is appearing to his disciples that he has risen from the dead and he showed them his hands and side. It is the Holy Spirit that is appearing to you if you believe in me. I will forgive your sins and it will be forgiven . If you retain the sins of any they are retained. It was Thomas, who is one of the 12 disciples does not believe that the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ. He has to see the mark of his nail hands and his side to believe the spirit is Jesus . Jesus appeared to him after 8 days and told him to put his finger on his hand and see my hands. Reach out to place your hand on my side. Just believe that it is me . We should believe it is Jesus Christ who is resurrected from the dead even if there is signs or not. He instructed his disciples to spread the Good News to people and share our experience.
It is Jesus appearing to his disciples after 3 days he has been crucified and raised from the dead . The entire week is talking about the risen Lord. How we should be like him and follow him in today’s society.
We still have to love one another as Jesus has love us. We have to forgive people who cause us to sinned or people we have faults against them and love them. Today is the Divine Merciful Jesus .