Go Therefore, Make Disciples Of All Nations; That They Too may Have A Home With Us

This weekend’s Gospel for the Feast of the Ascension is one of the most important passages in all of Sacred Scripture.

In just a few short verses, we witness the passing of Christ’s mission to His Church.

The Gospel says:

“The eleven disciples set out for Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them.”
— Matthew 28:16

Notice first that Jesus calls them to a mountain.

In Scripture, mountains are places of revelation and encounter with God.

Moses received the Law on a mountain.
Elijah encountered the still small voice on a mountain.
Jesus preached the Beatitudes on a mountain.
He was transfigured on a mountain.

And now, on this mountain, the Risen Christ prepares His disciples for the birth of the Church’s mission.

This is no ordinary meeting.

This is the moment when Heaven entrusts the Gospel to humanity.

The passage continues:

“When they saw Him they fell down before Him, though some hesitated.”

What an incredibly human detail.

Even after seeing the Risen Jesus, some still hesitated.

The Greek word used here carries the sense of wavering, uncertainty, inner struggle.

And yet Jesus still entrusts His mission to them.

This should bring tremendous hope to all of us.

Jesus does not wait for perfect people before calling them.

The Church was not built upon men who had everything figured out.
It was built upon disciples who were still learning to trust completely.

Peter had denied Him.
Thomas had doubted Him.
The others had fled in fear during the Passion.

And still, Jesus calls them.

Still, Jesus sends them.

Still, Jesus entrusts them with His Church.

Then comes one of the most powerful declarations in all of Scripture:

“All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”

This is a royal proclamation.

Jesus speaks not merely as teacher or prophet, but as the victorious Son of God.

The Resurrection has revealed His total authority over sin, death, evil, and even time itself.

And it is from that authority that the Church receives her mission.

Notice carefully what Jesus says next:

“Go, therefore…”

The “therefore” matters.

Because Christ possesses all authority, the disciples can now go forth confidently.

The Church does not preach in her own name.
She teaches in the authority of Christ.

She baptizes in the authority of Christ.

She forgives sins in the authority of Christ.

She continues the mission of Christ in the world.

This is why the Catholic Church has always understood herself not as a human invention, but as the living continuation of Christ’s mission on earth.

Jesus, the Head of the Church, now passes on His mission to His Body, the Church.

And what exactly are they commanded to do?

“Make disciples of all nations.”

Not merely converts.

Disciples.

A disciple is one who learns from the Master, follows the Master, and becomes transformed by the Master.

Christianity is not simply about information.

It is about transformation.

Jesus sends the Apostles not only to preach, but to form hearts, shape souls, and bring every nation into communion with the Father.

Then Jesus gives the Church her sacramental mission:

“Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

This is deeply important.

The Church is not merely a gathering of people who admire Jesus.

She is a sacramental people.

Through Baptism, we are brought into the life of the Trinity itself.

Notice also the Trinitarian formula:

Father.
Son.
Holy Spirit.

Here, at the very foundation of the Church’s mission, Jesus reveals the heart of Christian life — communion with the Triune God.

Then comes another essential movement in the Gospel:

“Teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.”

This is the foundation of Apostolic Tradition.

Jesus taught the Apostles.
The Apostles taught the Church.
The Church continues to hand on faithfully what she herself received.

This is why Catholic Christianity has always emphasized both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

The faith was not invented generation after generation.

It was handed on.

Protected.
Guarded.
Lived.
Taught.

From the Apostles to the bishops.
From the bishops to the faithful.
Across centuries.
Across nations.

One unbroken mission.

And finally, perhaps the most comforting words in the entire passage:

“And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”

Jesus ascends into Heaven…
yet He does not leave His Church orphaned.

He remains with us.

In the Holy Spirit.
In the Eucharist.
In the Word.
In the sacraments.
In the Church itself.

The Ascension is not the absence of Christ.

It is the beginning of His presence in a new and universal way.

The disciples standing on that mountain could never have imagined how far this mission would spread.

From Galilee to Rome.
From Rome to the ends of the earth.

And today, over two thousand years later, the Church still proclaims the same Gospel.
Still baptizes.
Still teaches.
Still breaks the Bread of Life.
Still carries Christ to the nations.

Because the mission did not end on that mountain.

It began there.

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
You who possess all authority in Heaven and on earth,
thank You for entrusting Your mission to the Church.

Strengthen our faith when we hesitate.
Deepen our trust when we are afraid.
Fill us anew with the fire of the Holy Spirit so that we too may go forth courageously as Your disciples.

Teach us to treasure the faith handed down through the Apostles.
Help us to remain faithful to Your truth, Your sacraments, and Your Church.

And remind us always of Your beautiful promise:

That You are with us always,
even to the end of time.

Amen. ✨