After bearing witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection, it feels very on brand for the disciples to still have doubts. Perhaps not doubt in Jesus, but doubt in themselves that they could be the ones to carry out the work of the early church.

But isn’t that how it always works with faith? God calls us to roles that we may not feel ready for: leadership in the workplace, parenthood, caring for sick or aging loved ones, and so on. The Holy Spirit keeps nudging us – sometimes loudly calling us – to places we don’t think we want to go.

Thankfully, the disciples do go on, in spite of themselves, to form and teach the early followers of Christianity. And while I am sure they did so with varying levels of uncertainty, we are asked to do the same. 

Trust that God is with us on every step of the journey “until the end of the age,” so we never have to be alone in our fear of the unknown.

—Kristy C. Parrish works at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is the former principal of Immaculate Conception School in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Loving Father,
 Open our hearts to hidden realities:
      your love for all people,
      your presence in the community,
      your call to justice and peace.
 May the sacraments stir in us
 that same love for those with whom we worship
 and all members of our human family.

Christ Jesus,
 Help us to imitate your example:
      healing the sick,
      welcoming the stranger,
      assisting the poor and vulnerable.
 May the sacraments remind us
 of your love and self-giving,
 which we strive to imitate.

Holy Spirit,
 Make visible to our eyes what is invisible:
      your call to your people,
      your summons to live our faith daily
      as witnesses of justice and peace.
 May the sacraments move us
 to engage in love-inspired action
 that transforms us and the world.

Amen

—Prayer to Live the Gospel, Be Disciples on usccb.org