Gigi Kammeyer

Dear Friend in Christ the Risen Lord!

The Gospel for today, the Fourth Day of Easter, is the concluding verses of Matthew, known as The Great Commission. Like Moses, Jesus’ final instructions are given from a mountain top, this one in Galilee. We might be disturbed by the clause “…they worshipped him; but some doubted.” Even at this point, do some of the disciples still not believe? I suppose one could say that doubt and fidelity to the mission of Jesus are not mutually exclusive.

Then Jesus says to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given me.” That is, the risen Christ’s domain has become the entire universe. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Here the expansion of Jesus’ status prompts the expansion of the mission to include both Jews and Gentiles. “All nations” can be read as “all the Gentiles,” but the mission to Israel is never abrogated.

It is interesting that Jesus says “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” as the Trinity did not become Christian doctrine until at least the second century. A similar formula is found only in Paul’s benediction to the Corinthians (2 Cor 13:13). This occurrence may reflect liturgical usage in Matthew’s later community, as other accounts of baptism found in Acts 2:38 do not use this formula.

“Tell them everything I command you.” This is the prophetic commission. Finally, Jesus says, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This beautiful phrase says that Jesus is always present. May we always feel the presence of Jesus!

Praying that the glorious miracle of Christ’s Resurrection will bring you hope and joy at Easter and all through the year.

Gigi Kammeyer