The twelve are sent

JESUS went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

REFLECTION JESUS SENT OUT THESE TWELVE. As he goes about proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and healing the sick, Jesus is moved with pity for the crowds and asks the disciples to pray that the master send out laborers for the abundant harvest.

He then summons the Twelve disciples, gives them authority, and sends them to share in his mission. In effect, Jesus is telling them that they are part of the answer to their prayer for more laborers in the harvest.

And Jesus instructs them to carry out the mission in the spirit of complete trust in God’s providence rather than be weighed down by concerns about what to bring and how to prepare. Indeed, when God sends us on mission, he also provides us with the resources aside from the divine care and protection.

Do you see yourself as sent on mission?

With what spirit do you carry it out? Are you preoccupied about safety, secu- rity, and the needed resources? God wants you to trust completely in him.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” ST.

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