Go Ahead to Galilee

“Go Ahead to Galilee” is the theme of our Diocesan Convention this year. As Father Rob wrote last week, St. James will be well represented and will bring back the good news from the Convention.

“Go Ahead to Galilee” is drawn from Mark 16:7:

But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” – Mark 16:7

In all three synoptic Gospels, Jesus gives this command first to Mary Magdalene. She is the first apostle, sent by Jesus to proclaim the Good News of the Risen Christ.

Jesus appears to his disciples in the Galilee, where they were first called and where Jesus began his earthly ministry. It is fitting that the disciples last see Jesus where they first met him. It is also fitting that Jesus sends them, disciples (followers) and now apostles (ones who are sent), to proclaim the Good News of love and forgiveness for all.

And we, disciples in our holy, catholic, and apostolic church, are also sent to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by word and deed. As we remember the hope and healing of His ministry in the Galilee and beyond, we too are called to walk His way of love and forgiveness, to love and serve the Lord in all that we are and all that we do.

The Prayers for the Pilgrimage offers this collect For Being Heralds of Good News:

O Lord, you who are the Author of all goodness, make us, we pray, heralds of your good news, signposts of your good name, instruments of your good work, and a foretaste of the fullness of goodness in the age to come for those who do not know you today, so that all who encounter us might know and love you. We pray this in the name of Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.

Epiphany Blessings,

Judy Q+