The commissioning of the Eleven

Gospel Reading: Mk 16:15-20

JESUS appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.

THE LORD WORKED WITH THEM

Jesus commissions the Eleven to go to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. He empowers them to drive out demons, speak new languages, pick up serpents with their hands, be immune from deadly harm, and heal sick people. They are to continue his ministry of healing and preaching, even after his ascension to heaven.

The preaching of the disciples is accompanied with signs: words explain, deeds confirm. The proclamation of the Gospel becomes credible only when the preachers of the Word are also doers of the Word.

We may encounter difficulties in fulfilling the Lord’s commission, yet the conviction that he is working with us should keep us persevering in this noble task of sharing the Word of God.

“Cast your care upon the Lord, who will give you support. He will never allow the righteous to stumble” (Ps 55:23)

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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@ stpauls.ph; Website: http://www. stpauls.ph.