When I was reflecting on the Gospel for today, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the word that stood out for me was “therefore” – it spoke to me of there being a consequence to all that had already been said in the Gospel text and in the readings beforehand. It gives an instruction, a call to action.
As Scott Hahn the writer says: ‘if you read the word therefore you have to ask what’s it there for!’
So today as we read these words: “Go, therefore, make disciples” we have to take on the action asked of us. To move beyond our familiar, comfortable spaces to go to the peripheries to seek out people and share with them the Gospel message entrusted to us by Christ. And know that filled with the Holy Spirit we have been gifted with the knowledge, the courage and the wisdom we need for the task at hand. Most importantly we do not go out alone, we go out in the company of God who is with us always, not just today or tomorrow but to the end of time.
And the next time you read the word ‘therefore’ pause and ask yourself “What’s it there for?”
Karen OSU