The Mission of the Twelve
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Lk 9:1-6
1[Jesus] summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal [the sick]. 3He
said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor
sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. 5And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” 6Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Reflection:
Take nothing for the journey.
To render hospitality to strangers and travelers is part of Middle
Eastern culture. In the Bible, in the case of Abraham, hospitality to
the stranger is equated with welcoming God. To refuse a man hospitality
in the harsh desert conditions is to let him die. And biblical people
know that the mistreatment of strangers is a sure way to incur divine
displeasure.
In
such a culture, Jesus sends the Twelve. Absolute detachment is required
of them. They must have complete reliance on divine providence. God
will provide for their needs through a culture of hospitality. In places
where the apostles preach, people who show positive response to God’s
message must also show hospitality to the messengers.
God
truly never stops to give us what we need in life. We have a duty to
share with each other what we have. God’s messengers must not concern
themselves with material gain or wealth. They are called to be simple
and to shun luxury. Earthly comforts and rewards should not compromise
or distract the motives of service and sacrifice to people. God is the
source of mission; God is its reward.
How do we detach ourselves from material things
and attach ourselves wholeheartedly to Jesus?
How do we treat material wealth
in view of the Gospel proclamation and values?
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