September 27, 2017

Gospel: Lk 9:1-6
Then Jesus called his Twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to drive out all evil spirits and to heal diseases. And he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He instructed them, “Don‘t take anything for the journey, neither staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and don‘t even take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, remain there until you leave that place. And wherever they don‘t welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet: it will be as a testimony against them.“
So they set out, and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

REFLECTION:
Jesus‘s commissioning of the disciples has a disarming simplicity. They are to have no elaborate preparations, no provisions to take with them. Trust Providence and the generosity of the people they visit. Proclaim the Kingdom. Heal the sick. Drive out demons. Whatever house they walk in, they must stay there. If they are received, well and good. If not, they must dust themselves off and move on.
Is it possible to practice similar trust in our days? And why not? We too are commissioned by Jesus Christ who is the same Lord yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). He gives us the same faculties, the same powers, and the same instructions. The problem is with us—we think we have a better understanding of the demands and dangers of the present world and refuse to trust God‘s Providence. How else would we explain our worries and anxieties in various ministries at the service of the Lord? We need to strengthen our trust in the one who called us. He is faithful and he will do it (1 Thess. 5:24).