This is a difficult week to do a Gospel reflection because, depending on the diocese in which you reside, you are reading one of two different Gospels. Some dioceses are celebrating the Seventh Sunday of Easter with the Gospel of John (17:11b-19) while others are celebrating the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord with the Gospel of Mark (16:15-20). So, what’s a girl to do? Obviously, look at both.
John’s Gospel for the Seventh Sunday of Easter hears Jesus pray to his father: “Consecrate them in the truth…. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world.” And in the Gospel for the Ascension, just before Jesus ascends to the father, he gives this command to his disciples – to us – “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.”
Jesus has a recurring theme often spoken to those who followed him: You have heard my truth and now it is up to you to take it to those who have not heard it. He commissions us to spread the truth of the Gospel message to all who will hear. The commission is clear; not necessarily without its challenges. But, that is the cost of discipleship.
Two different Sunday celebrations – two different Gospels – ONE MESSAGE. I guess it wasn’t that difficult after all.
Sister Danielle Jacob, CSFN
