Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
The “Great Commission” that Jesus gave to His Church was to go and
make disciples, to preach the Gospel to every creature. He commanded
His apostles to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit”. At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “do this in remembrance
of me”.
The Lord also commanded the apostles to teach people to “observe all
that I have commanded you.” And Jesus promised to be with His Church
“until the end of the age.”
This Commission is especially addressed to the apostles and their
successors, but it is also addressed, in a sense, to all Christians. Every
disciple of Jesus is called to share the Good News, to proclaim the Gospel
in word and through one’s actions.
Sometimes we might not feel adequately equipped to do that. The Evil
One will remind us of our failings, our sins, our baggage, and accuse us
of not being worthy to speak of Christ’s promise or His plan for humanity.
Don’t listen to that liar!
St. Paul, the Great Apostle to the Gentiles, reminds us in today’s second
reading that even he struggled with weakness. He speaks of a “thorn” in
his flesh. He refers to it as “an angel of Satan”. Many in our tradition have
interpreted this “thorn” as a spiritual struggle or temptation, maybe even
a recurring sin, with which Paul wrestled. Despite Paul’s appeal to God to
remove this thorn, the Lord did not. The Lord’s reply to Paul’s prayer was,
“my grace is sufcient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
You are not perfect, you may have baggage, or struggle with temptation
or a certain sin. But as long as you turn to the Lord and listen to His words
– words of hope, you will have the strength to share the Good News. His
grace is sufficient for you.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
