ACCEPT THE COMMISSION
It may seem like an impossible task to take on, but Jesus said to the
disciples, "Go, into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every
creature" (Mk 16:15)!
Mary Magdalene
announces the Good News to Jesus' disciples, "they did not believe"
(Mk 16:11b). And when the two who had walked with Jesus on the way to Emmaus
also told them, "they did not believe them either" (Mk 16:13b).
Finally, Jesus, in an appearance to the eleven, rebukes them for their
disbelief "because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had
been raised" (Mk 16:14b). These witnesses were carrying the most important
News the world has ever known, yet no one believes them! It seems as though
Christ has given them an impossible task.
In the final
chapter of Mark's Gospel, today, the challenge is about their faith, and this
means us as well. This challenge of faith and belief first means accepting the
truth of Jesus' rising from the dead and, second, remaining steadfast in trust,
hope, and confidence that will change our lives as we follow in the way of the
Good News. The strong emphasis on faith is reinforced by all the evidence in
this Gospel, telling us that our forebears in the faith, the disciples, did not
lightly nor easily take it up. There was much difficulty and they had to learn
to live up to it so they could be a part of the future - sharing in the death
and Resurrection of Jesus.
Yes, it may seem
like an impossible task to take on, but Jesus said to the disciples, "Go,
into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature" (Mk
16:15)! This commission is also for us, but who will believe us? We do not need
to get stressed out over the question, or worry about our own inadequacy, we
only need to accept the commission and trust in the Lord!