By Father Paul Nord, O.S.B., Sunday Scripture
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11; Responsorial: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9; Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23; Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20
Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles together form a two-part work. Our first reading is the opening verses of the Acts of the Apostles. These verses form a transition from the events of Luke’s gospel: “In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up.” Luke’s Gospel (1:3) is likewise addressed to “Theophilus.” This might be a specific person’s name. Or “Theophilus” might be understood literally: “beloved of God.” In this interpretation, both Luke and Acts would be addressed to beloved friends of God.
Acts begins by connecting “the first book” (Luke’s Gospel) with this second “book” (Acts). The transition verses (1:1-5) end with: “but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” These verses recall Jesus’ teaching, his suffering and death, his resurrection, his “appearing to them during forty days,” his ascension and his command that they should remain in Jerusalem until they are “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” This promise is fulfilled in Acts 2:1-13 during the Jewish feast of Pentecost – when the Holy Spirit fills the hearts of Jesus’ followers.
Continuing with Acts 1:6: “When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus’ disciples are expressing their expectation that he will restore King David’s kingdom by (forcibly) freeing Israel from Roman rule. Jesus had previously confirmed to his disciples that he was the Messiah. For centuries, the prophets had foretold that God would send a Messiah – a descendant of King David who would bring God’s kingdom, a new age of justice and peace.
In his response to their question, Jesus changes his disciples’ understanding of both the time and the manner in which he, as the Messiah, is establishing the “kingdom of God.” Jesus tells them: “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established.” Instead of establishing an earthly kingdom, Jesus tells his disciples that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit – which will enable them to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” They are being invited to participate in Jesus’ mission. Jesus’ words here are consistent with the letter to the Ephesians (1:13-14): “In [Christ] you… were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession.”
In these verses of Acts (1:6-8), Jesus’ tells his followers that they will receive the Holy Spirit first. Only later will the kingdom of God come in its fullness. Recall Luke 13:18-19, where Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed which is very small at the beginning but gradually grows into a large bush. At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus announced: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15). Through his parables, Jesus explained that the kingdom of God had already arrived with his first coming, but that it would arrive in its fullness with his second coming at the end of time.
Finally, Jesus “was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight” – this is Jesus’ “Ascension.” “Two men dressed in white garments” speak to Jesus’ disciples. These are angels of God, who promise that Jesus will return “in the same way” as he had departed.
Next is the letter to the Ephesians (1:17-23). This is a prayer that the Ephesians may receive “a Spirit of wisdom and revelation.” That is, may the Ephesians know “the hope” that comes from God, and may they know “the surpassing greatness of [God’s] power for us who believe.” This power is explained by describing how God the Father raised Christ from the dead, “seating him at his right hand in the heavens.” The following verses add detail. This all describes the “wisdom and revelation” that God has given us through Jesus Christ by the gift of the Spirit.
This prayer asks that the Ephesians might know “what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones.” Believers in Christ are often described as “the holy ones” in Pauline letters. “Inheritance” invokes the understanding that believers in Christ have become “son and daughters of God” – and therefore inheritors of God’s kingdom.
Today’s Gospel reading contains the final verses of Matthew’s Gospel. Before these verses, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” discover Jesus’ empty tomb (Matt 28:1). Jesus appears to the women and tells them: “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me” (28:10). With affection and forgiveness, Jesus calls his disciples “my brothers” – although they abandoned him during his crucifixion.
The disciples obey Jesus’ command (28:10). “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them” (28:16). Jesus appears to them. This prompts a mixed reaction – they worshiped Jesus, but they also doubted.
When the disciples worship Jesus, they fall at his feet. But Jesus approaches them and commissions them to carry forward his mission, given by God the Father, who gave “all power in heaven and on earth” to Jesus.
Jesus commands his disciples: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (28:19). This is called “the great commission.” Jesus sends his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to “all nations.”
This verse gives the full Trinitarian formula invoked in baptism: “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” This Trinitarian formula is essential to Christian baptism – both today and in the early Church.
Jesus commands his “eleven disciples” (apostles) to baptize and to teach all nations “to observe all that I have commanded you.” Jesus promises: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” This refers to Jesus’ second coming, which will herald a new age – when God’s Kingdom comes in its fullness.