Gospel – Matthew 9: 35-10:1,5,6-8
Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness. And when He saw the crowds
He felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers to His harvest.’
He summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to drive them out and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of illness.
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Do not make your way to Gentile territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go instead to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those suffering from diseases, drive out demons. You received without charge, give without charge.
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for The Parish for the support following the death of Ellie Forker, RIP
Reflection:
Jesus having observed that the workers are few and that God’s people are “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”, Jesus gathers his twelve apostles, authorizes and empowers them for mission, instructing them on how to proceed with the task of proclaiming the gospel, the news concerning the coming kingdom.
The life of a believer is mission – the communication of the gospel to a lost and broken world.
Healing and liberation certify the presence of the realm of heaven. Both Jesus’ own mission and that of the Twelve bring not only proclamation but also healing. Jesus sends forth the Twelve to perform his own works, the very works that have defined his ministry from the beginning.
Jesus commissions his disciples to perform the very works that he does, calling them to advance beyond him into new and emergent contexts. Whether with Jesus or commissioned by Jesus, the authentic proclamation of God’s realm is marked by healing and liberation.
- We all receive the same mission given by Jesus to the disciples. Are you conscious and aware of this mission? How do you live your mission?
In your life, have you had any contact with the lost sheep, with people who are tired, exhausted and searching? What lesson did you draw out of this?