Disciples of All Nations

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

17 May 2026

 

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

Today we stand with the disciples on a mountain in Galilee. Yet even here, the Gospel tells us something striking: “When they saw Him, they worshipped, but they doubted.” Faith and hesitation sit side by side. That detail alone makes this passage feel very human. Unknowingly to the apostles, that tension is where the mission begins. Jesus does not choose flawless people. He entrusts His mission to those still growing. And this is important for us also, today: mission is not reserved for the spiritually confident. It begins with those willing to listen, even with uncertainty.

There is something deeply reassuring in this. Jesus does not wait for perfect clarity before He speaks His commission. He does not delay His trust until every question is resolved. Instead, He steps directly into the middle of their mixed interior state—worship and doubt together—and still sends them. He comes closer and declares what has become known as the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus says, “Go.” It is not a suggestion to stay comfortable in familiar spaces. The Gospel always moves outward toward people we haven’t met, cultures we do not know, and places we might not naturally choose.

This also speaks directly to us. Many people imagine that they must first resolve every doubt before they can serve God, pray with others, or share their faith. But the Gospel shows the opposite. It is precisely in the midst of our unfinished understanding that Jesus calls us forward. What matters is not the absence of hesitation, but the decision to remain open—to worship even while still asking questions, to follow even while still learning.

Although the Gospel does not narrate the Ascension directly, this passage carries its meaning. As he ascends, Jesus is no longer bound to one place or one group. He is preparing to be present everywhere through His Spirit and through His disciples. In a sense, He is “ascending” not by leaving us, but by expanding His presence in the world through us. The movement is very important: From seeing Jesus in one place to carrying Jesus everywhere.

But at the heart of the passage, Jesus does not end with departure, but with presence. His promise transforms the meaning of absence: we are not working alone, we are not speaking into silence, and we are not left to improvise God’s mission. The Ascended Lord is not distant. He is always present, sustaining the Church from within. To hear this Gospel today is to recognize that the mission of Christ has not changed. Rather, it has only been handed on. We become His voice in places where silence has grown, His hands where healing is needed, and His witness where hope feels thin. And we do this not by our strength alone, but by the assurance that the One who sends us also accompanies us.

The disciples leave the mountain changed not because all their doubts are gone, but because they now know that doubt does not cancel a mission. They have witnessed the mystery of the Ascension of Christ going to the Father, which moves us to go to the farthest places of the earth to proclaim the Gospel. The Lord’s Ascension is not His absence. It is the beginning of His presence in us. And that is why His final words are not an ending, but a beginning: “I am with you always.”

First Hand

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

18 June 2023

 

First Reading: Ex 19:2-6a

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

Second Reading: Rom 5:6-11

Gospel: Mt 9:36-10:8

 

Reflection

By: Grace B. Madrinan

 

"The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out labourers for his harvest." - Matthew 9:37

I'm a shy person in real life. Well, some would disagree because I can be the loudest when I am with my closest friends. But generally, I am not the type of person who would be part of the ushers or greeters ministry.

But I did become part of the greeters ministry when I joined the Feast, a Catholic Charismatic community of the Light of Jesus family founded by Bro. Bo Sanchez, for reasons too long to discuss here. Not only that, I became the head of the ministry and later on led the Singles Ministry. Yes, so much for the shy person that I am, I took more than I can chew. It was a challenge, but also gave me a peak on how God operates.

The Gospel today talks about how Jesus commissioned the apostles to multiply His work and reach. Jesus is God, all powerful, and yet He still needed His apostles to do the work. Why? Well, since Jesus was in the form of a man, He still needs manpower like everyone else. And I believe, moreso, to make the apostles witness the miracles and see the glory of God first hand.

And I believe Jesus commissioned us too. Maybe not as grand as the apostles did before us, but every act is well accounted for and appreciated by God. When I was a servant in our community, I witnessed God's hand at work when He led us to reach out to complete strangers who happen to be in deep need of His message. I also watched how God transformed people from an angry person to a Godly man. We saw healing, new friendships and lasting relationships, all because we heed to Christ's calling.

But whether we are serving in our own Parish or community or not, we can be a labourer for God. We can continue to be a good Christian example for our family and friends. Be compassionate and considerate of those who work hard especially in the service industry, give a warm smliel, appreciate more or even strike a conversation if you must, just to ask them how they were. You never know how that single act of kindness can extend our faith.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for allowing us to work with Jesus in His ministry, though frail and sinful as we are. May we be able to extend His hand to those whom You want us to reach through our service and compassion for the needy. Amen.

Mission on a Strong Foundation

The Most Holy Trinity

May 31, 2015

Blest be God the Father, and the Only Begotten Son of God, and also the Holy Spirit, for he has shown us his merciful love.

First reading                                      Deuteronomy 4:32-34,39-40

Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?
  ‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’

Psalm                                               Psalm 32:4-6,9,18-20,22

Second reading                               Romans 8:14-17

Everyone moved by the Spirit is a son of God. The spirit you received is not the spirit of slaves bringing fear into your lives again; it is the spirit of sons, and it makes us cry out, ‘Abba, Father!’ The Spirit himself and our spirit bear united witness that we are children of God. And if we are children we are heirs as well: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.

Gospel                                        Matthew 28:16-20

The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them. When they saw him they fell down before him, though some hesitated. Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

Reflection

By Anabelle Payod-Balla

Allow me to go directly to the key message of today's Gospel by asking you to read again the message that Jesus said to His disciples.

 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Notice how Jesus deliver His message. He confirmed His authority before He commissioned His disciples. His instructions were very specific, affirming the Holy Trinity. He gave assurance that they have His support always, until the end. What a powerful delivery! Erasing any doubts and ambiguity, inspiring the disciples to move forward with the mission that continues until today and for sure, until the very end.

As Christians, we have also been commissioned to make disciples of all nations and we have the assurance of the strongest foundation that we can stand and rely on- not Jesus alone but the Holy Trinity! And not just strong foundation but power, blessings and protection of the Holy Trinity!

Let us go and help others experience the abundance of God's love and mercy! We have been fully equipped to do this from the beginning.

Prayer

Father, give us the grace to obey Your commands. With our brothers and sisters,  may we give You praise and honor all the days of our life.

Glory be to the Father, to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.