Focusing the Gospel
Key words and phrases: proclaim the gospel, signs, those who believe
Connecting the Gospel …To the point: Before he ascended to take “his seat at the right hand of God,” Jesus entrusted his saving mission to “preach the gospel” to the discipes. When the gospel is effectively preached by “those who believe,” it is accompanied by signs. What signs accompany believers today?
… to the Second Reading: This reading explicitly spells out the virtues necessary for one to "preach the gospel" effectively: humility, gentleness, patience, love.
It also shows us the signs in the community of effective preaching: unity, peace, building up the Body of Christ, knowledge.
… to experience: Normally when someone leaves us, we experience a profound sense of absence. In the ascension Jesus leaves but actually remains present within us as we take up his mission to preach the gospel.
