Passing the Torch

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Forty days after Easter Sunday, we are celebrating the Ascension.  Jesus remained with his disciples throughout these days and showed to them proofs that he is indeed alive and strengthened their faith in him.  He also prepared them to take care of the Church he already founded.  These days were Jesus' last minute preparations for his departure.  He will now go to the Father where he had his glory with him and the Holy Spirit even before the world began. 


So, Jesus made a Great Commission.  He send his disciples to continue the mission that he started.  But he promised that he will not leave them orphans. He is with them all the time, even to the end of age. He will send the Holy Spirit in order to be fill his disciples with his presence and enable them to carry on the same ministry that he had started. The Holy Spirit from now on will be the one to remind them everything that he had taught and to teach them greater things and to enable them to understand these.  From now on, his disciples will be like him.  They will be transformed into another Christs to the world. 

I remembered the story of an AIDS victim whom I have read.  Many isolate themselves from him. His friends deserted him.  People talk about him.  Even his family abandoned him except his sister. She took care of him, talk to him often and consoled him. One day, her friend came to visit him as well.  And on the next weeks, the friend brought more friends and even helped them in their needs.  They made the two of them stronger even prayed with them.  The sick died peacefully.  When he died, they offered masses, prayed and gave the body a proper burial.  The sister later joined an organization helping and consoling AIDS victims.


During the Olympic games, the torch carries a powerful symbol.  The flame is being passed from one person to another traveling miles and even passes on mountains, seas and even under the sea.  They make sure that the flame will never die out until the Olympic Cauldron is lighted.  This is Jesus' Great Commission.  Jesus passes on us the torch by the grace of our baptism and we are fortified and reminded through our confirmation.  We gain Christ's mission as priest--- to offer sacrifices to God in behalf of the people whom we are serving, as king--- to serve and lead the people to God and as a prophet--- to announce to the people the Word of God.  May this torch never die and may we continue to spread the flame by passing this Torch to others.

Love is payed by love.  In the same way, sin is payed by sin. When we do good to others, others will do the same to other people.  Psychologists say that when a child is abused, when that child grow up, he will do the same to his own child.  But if a child is properly cared for and given much love, he will also take care of his own child the same way as he has been treated.  According to the movie Pay it Forward, when someone does good to us, they do not just pay it back to us. Rather, it is payed to someone else.  That is why, I give kudos to my fellow Parish Youth Council core group members as they initiate in forming the youth of each sub-parish.  When we continue to lead them, take care of them and show them good examples, I am sure they will do the same when they will be in our position.  They will become good leaders as well and they will continue the good legacy that we have started.

This Sunday, we are also celebrating the Day for Mass Communications. And this Gospel is the same as the Gospel that I have used in our first post for this blog.  I believe that this blog can be one of the tools for youth evangelization.  I believe that if Jesus is with us today, he will use the modern technologies in communications like the internet and this blog to proclaim his Gospel more effectively to more people.  I suggest that let us use our Facebook and Twitter to proclaim Christ the same as with our mobile phones.  And let us pray that in these modern times, the mass media will become a tool not just for entertainment and for gaining information but most importantly, it will become a vehicle of truth.


After Ascension, Jesus was asked by the Archangel Gabriel, "What will now happen to your kingdom on earth?" Jesus replied, "I have entrusted it to the care of Peter and his companions, I will send them the Holy Spirit and have instructed them to announce the Gospel to the world." "But, what will you do?", Gabriel asked again.  Jesus again answered, "I have given them my full trust."


Jesus is trusting us.  Are we an agent of the propagation of his kingdom on earth?