Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, thanks to the mission entrusted to the Apostles and their corresponding fidelity, the gift of Baptism reached me. Help me then to live the mission entrusted to me through Baptism, to live in friendship with you and to serve others as your messenger.

Petition: Give me, Lord, the gift of hope, which makes me trust in your promise of salvation, so that I can work with conviction for the establishment of your Kingdom.

Gospel: Mk 16:15-20

And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.  So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.

1. Go into All the World and Proclaim the Good News to the Whole Creation.

The word "Christ" means Messiah or anointed. Those anointed in the Old Testament received a mission from God. Jesus was the anointed one of God called to bring about the salvation of man, and he fulfilled this mission perfectly (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #436).

Essential to every Christian vocation is the aspect of mission. Christ directs his command to the apostles and through them to every Christian: Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. We must spread the Gospel message of Gods love to all around us: in our families, in the workplace, at school, etc.

2. Jesus Was Taken Up Into Heaven and Sat Down at the Right Hand of God.

Christ is the new Adam of the new creation brought about through his redemptive sacrifice. As Christians called to follow him, we too must pass through the cross, but always focusing on the glory to come. Christ was received into heaven at the right hand of God, and we, as members of the mystical body of Christ, are also called to share in his inheritance. Our home is heaven.

The virtue of hope, however, is necessary, because until the second coming of Christ, the Church will still undergo the struggle with evil in the world. That is why we say during the Eucharistic celebration, Come, Lord Jesus! (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #671672).

3. They Went Out and Proclaimed the Good News Everywhere, While the Lord Worked with Them.

To bring about the arrival of Christs Kingdom in the world, our collaboration is necessary. This is precisely what the Apostles did, most of them offering the ultimate sacrifice of martyrdom. However, within the context of this generous self donation to the mission entrusted to us, it is important to remember that it is Gods grace that will work through us if we allow it.  I am with you always, to the end of the age (Mt 28:20).

Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus Christ, I give you my feet to follow your footsteps. I give you my hands to serve those for whom you have died. I give you my tongue to speak your word. I give you my heart to love all those you put in my path. I am weak, dear Lord, but with your grace all things are possible.

Questionnaire:  This optional questionnaire is intended to help you evaluate your life in light of the inspirations God just gave in you in these moments you spent with him in prayer.

1. How does Christ call me to be an apostle for my family, friends, and all those with whom I come in contact? What are the concrete expressions of that awareness in my life? Am I confident that Gods grace will work through me in my apostolic endeavors?

2. Have I accepted the cross as an integral part of my vocation? If not, what prevents me from fully embracing it?

3. Do I live with the hope of the resurrection and the promise of heaven? How do I cultivate this hope in my daily life? Are prayer and frequent reception of the sacraments the primary means? Is my hope genuine, communicated to those around me?