From L’Osservatore Romano
It must have been a wary and somewhat disappointed Jesus who gathered his twelve closest disciples together to do two things: to entrust them with his own mission (he began to send them out), rendering them thereby “apostles”, persons sent; and to establish a missionary methodology. Today’s Gospel follows directly from last Sunday’s, where Jesus met cynicism and refusal in his home-town, where he could do no mighty work, blocked by their unbelief. God has confined his power within the boundaries of our welcome. He doesn’t impose: he wants us to want him.
The twelve, of course, were regular guys, just like the prophet Amos in the first reading (I am no prophet … but … a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees), drawn from a range of lifestyles. Not one of them was “religious” by profession. Jesus teaches them how to carry out the mission, underlining three principles: firstly, detachment: they must travel light. Secondly, concentration: they are to be undistractedly focussed on their essential task. Thirdly, pragmatism: they must adjust to failures and move on. He gives them the content of what they are to do, once again emphasising three elements: firstly, they are to preach conversion, the possibility of a change of life for the better; secondly, they are to oppose evil, rather than tolerating it or, worse, acquiescing in it; thirdly, they are to bring healing, which includes the gifts of consolation and mercy.
It is clear that not all Christians are sent out in the same way. Saint Paul reminds us of the variety of God’s gifts, and, in today’s second reading, of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Today’s teaching to the twelve, however, is eminently relevant to our daily lives, whatever we may do: it is best not to journey with too much baggage, and often that baggage is not a matter of possessions, but rather of spiritual and psychological burdens from the past, that require forgiveness, healing and the acceptance of healing. The focus on the task means that we do not relate everything to ourselves and our personal needs, constantly seeking affirmation and approval. The pragmatism means that we are entirely realistic with regard to ourselves, our situation and our relationships, guided by calm hope and not by inflated fantasies. How is that for a challenge!
By FR EDMUND POWER, OSB