This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, May 21st is from Matthew 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.’”
Reflection: Matthew tells us that when Jesus met the eleven disciples on the mountain, “they worshiped, but they doubted”, but he doesn’t say what they doubted. They may have doubted that they would be able to handle Jesus’ mission without him. Yes, even the original disciples doubted, whether doubting Jesus’ power over death, their own ability to carry on the Christian mission, or those things they couldn’t understand. There is no shame in doubting. It provides an opportunity for faith: for faith in God and faith in ourselves. SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Acts 19:1-8; John 16:29-33
Tuesday Acts 20:17-27; John 17:1-11a
Wednesday Acts 20:28-38; John 17:11b-19
Thursday Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; John 17:20-26
Friday Acts 25:13b-21; John 21:15-19
Saint Philip Neri, Priest (Memorial) – The “Apostle of Rome” was born in Florence and educated by the Dominicans. At age eighteen he left for Rome to live in seclusion and poverty and study theology. He chose to re-evangelize Rome, where Church reform was greatly needed. To help minister to needy pilgrims, he helped found a confraternity of laymen and the Santa Trinita dei Pellegrini hospital. He also founded the Congregation of the Oratory (Oratorians).
Saturday Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; John 21:20-25
“And, behold, I am with you always until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20