May 29, 2025
Luke 24: 46-53
Since Jesus formed his group of twelve, he was always teaching and preparing them for their mission. He taught, set an example, spoke clearly, repeated and explained, and performed many signs and miracles so that they could understand. He showed and said that it would not be easy, because those who hated him would hate the apostles and disciples too. The day of his death and burial arrived and they were lost, as though they did not remember anything he had said. As with everything that had been predicted, he rose again on the third day, and this was also difficult for them to believe. Then Jesus walked with them for another 40 days, encouraging, forgiving, loving, eating together, happily. How many times he wished them peace! He breathed his Spirit upon them. But today is truly their farewell. As much as it is expected, as much as they were prepared for this day, it is difficult.
Luke tells us what it was like at the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles and at the end of his Gospel. Jesus promises that the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon them so that they will be “my witnesses” throughout the earth. He also promises that he will send the one whom the Father promised. Once again he gives his blessing, reminding them that they will be his witnesses and that he himself will always be with them.
These words, this mission is ours too. Everything that Jesus said, everything that he did, is for us. We are sent as witnesses to the ends of the earth. A difficult mission? Yes. But he himself is always with us.
Yesterday, when visiting a sick woman with members of the Good Samaritan group, one of them, reflecting on our mission, made this reflection: If Jesus is always with us, in our midst, how can we, how can the people see him? No one can, not as he was then. But every gesture of love, kindness, compassion, every cure that the doctor performs, every teaching of the educator, every hand offered to support those in need, is Jesus. He continues to act through us. This is how we are his witnesses. Then, another remembered that Jesus is also visible in the poor, the despised, the homeless, the foodless, the suffering, the sick. For Jesus also said that what you do for the least of mine, you do for me. Therefore he is in them too. With this we remembered Namaste, with reverence greeting one another “God in me greets God in you!” We concluded our visit with the prayer that Jesus himself taught us. And, like the apostles, we parted with great joy, both the visited and the visitors. Oh how good God is, how good it is to be a witness of Jesus who is always with us!
Luke 24: 46-53
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;
but stay in the city
until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.
They did him homage
and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
and they were continually in the temple praising God.
Meet Sister Becky Spires SNDdeN
