Matthew 28: 16-20
I really love the point made about why Jesus called the disciples to meet him in Galilee. That never occurred to me before (as with so much in this brief look at Matthew over the last year).
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| Fresco in Bishop's chapel located in Cortona depicting the mission of the apostles |
Placing the final scene in Galilee, Matthew brings the story full circle. This is where it all began, where Jesus grew into manhood, where the first apostles were recruited, and where the message of the kingdom first sounded forth. Readers have anticipated a return to Galilee since the prediction in 26:32 and the instructions given in verses 7 and 10. Galilee, the launching point for the Messiah's mission to Israel, is now to become the take-off poit for a mission to the whole world.
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It is important to recognize that making disciples is not reducible to winning converts or ensuring that people get baptized. A disciple is one who listens to Jesus (17:5) and learns from him how to love (11:28-30), how to pray (6:9-13), and how to do what is pleasing to the Father (3:17). Christian discipleship is a total way of life, a commitment to pattern our daily actions and decisions after the example set by Jesus and his most heroic followers (see 1 Cor. 11:1). As important as it is to attend weekly Mass or to say one's bedtime prayers, something much more is called for in the Lord's mandate.
May we all become the disciples our Lord calls us to be! With this we end our look at the gospel of Matthew.
Quote is from Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture: Gospel of Matthew by Curtis Mitch and Edward Sri.
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