So that this call should resound throughout the world, Christ sent forth the apostles he had chosen, commissioning them to proclaim the gospel: “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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”4 Strengthened by this mission, the apostles “went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it.”5
4 Mt 28:18-20 5 Mk 16:20
Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2
In our age, the idea of “making disciples” is often met with a good deal of skepticism. For good reason.
Conversion is too often coercion.
The “good news”, instead of resounding, too often amounts to irritating noise (at best) or really bad news.
Too often the good news is disconnected from the sheer goodness of God and amounts to no more than another avenue for human pride, prejudice, power, and greed.
God calls us to seek him because he is the best there is.
He has made a way for us to recognize and find him – Jesus.
He sends search teams to find and rescue us, to bring us across the border into his kingdom, to foster and adopt us as children, family.
That is the good news, the really good news.
May that news resound throughout the world.
Grace and peace to you…
dw
becoming flame 
4 replies on “Search and rescue”
A very thoughtful post, DW. There is no more wonderful thing than to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. There is no more loathsome soul than one who uses the Lord for selfish purposes.
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I’m afraid I have been one of those loathsome souls more times than I know 😢
Good to hear from you!
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The interesting thing about the command to make disciples is that it references nations, not individuals. And it follows Jesus’ claim that all authority has been given to him. Perhaps conversion seems wretching because we think of people being removed from their contexts. But Christ calls for the context itself–the nation, tribe, or whatever–to become his followers. And he already has authority over them. He is simply laying claim to his possessions.
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Hi Bob, it’s good to hear from you!
I hadn’t ever thought of it the way you put it – very interesting. Zooming out to the larger context really helps.
I hope you are doing well. I read your post about losing your animal friends – I’m so sorry. We have a dog who is losing the use of her back legs – reading of your experience and perspective has been helpful.
Grace and peace to you…
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