Ascension Sunday, May 17, 2026

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-

¹⁶ But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. ¹⁷ And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. ¹⁸ And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. ¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Gospel Commentary:

The scene unfolds on a mountain in Galilee, a location thick with symbolic weight. Just as the Law was given to Israel on a mountain, Jesus, the New Moses, prepares to give the new law of a global mission.

Imagine the disciples waiting for Jesus. When He finally appears, it’s a powerful but very human moment. Some of them fall to their knees in worship, while others are still standing there with their heads spinning, trying to make sense of everything that has happened. It’s comforting to know that even the apostles had their moments of doubt, yet Jesus still chose them.

Jesus walks up to them and speaks with total confidence. He tells them clearly: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” He isn’t just a teacher anymore; He is the King of everything.

Because He has that power, He gives them—and us—a job to do. He tells them to go out and make disciples. He doesn’t want them to just share information; He wants them to help people live a new way of life. He explains that this happens in three simple steps:

• Going: Don’t just stay in one place; reach out to everyone, neighbor or stranger.
  
• Baptizing: Bring people into the family of God in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  
• Teaching: Show people how to actually live out the things He taught, like loving our neighbors and being merciful.

The best part is how He ends the conversation. He doesn’t say “goodbye.” Instead, He says, “I am with you always.” It’s a beautiful promise that we never have to do this work alone.

Reflection Questions:

For Personal Reflection

“When I feel overwhelmed or uncertain—just like the disciples on the mountain—do I truly believe that Jesus is right there with me, or am I trying to carry all my burdens on my own?”

For the BEC

“Jesus told us to ‘go and make disciples.’ As a neighborhood community, are we mostly just looking inward at our own needs, or are we actively reaching out to welcome and help those in our street who might feel lonely or forgotten?”