Today’s Gospel:  Luke 9:1-6

REFLECTION
In today’s Gospel, Jesus had now reached a crucial place in His ministry. He and His followers had stayed in Galilee for a considerable period of time; but before the small band of preachers moved to another area, it was the Master’s desire to address one final appeal to the people among whom He had labored so long. Furthermore, the Savior was aware that the work of evangelism would soon be the task of these men whom He had called to be His disciples. They had, so to speak, been receiving His tuition in a special classroom. The time had now come when they should go on a field trip! It would be an invaluable lesson for them to go forth without His immediate presence; to meet and solve their problems alone; then, when the time came for the Lord to leave them, they would not be completely devoid of the experience of depending upon an absent Christ.

There is something greater than preaching - this is to make preachers; there is something greater than performing miracles; this is to impart the power to perform them. Christ’s earlier ministry revealed the possibility of such events; His special gifts to his disciples at this time imparted the power which they had considered to be His alone. Foolish indeed would be the man who tried to accomplish the impossible, but even more foolish would be the employer who sent his workmen to do what he alone could do. Therefore the Savior called the disciples; commissioned, empowered, instructed, and finally blessed them. Yet in spite of the power with which they had been invested, they were to remain humble servants of the Christ.

Men will never be able to establish the kingdom of God in the hearts of people, so long as they do not appear fully persuaded themselves of those truths which they preach. And how can they appear so, if they plainly contradict them in their practice and behavior? In order to persuade others to be unconcerned for trivials, a man must not himself appear too much concerned, even about necessities. The commission of the disciples should be considered in this way. This obvious poverty provided an opportunity to exercise faith. Their power to perform miracles would attract many people, and offers of hospitality would be forthcoming. It would thus became possible to take the message into the homes of the very people they wished to reach. Other people, in supplying the needs of the disciples, would share the joys of the crusade and in ever-widening circles, the power of the Savior’s words would reach increasing audiences. Yet it must be remembered that these words were spoken to men who went forth into a quiet, agricultural countryside nearly two thousand years ago. It is extremely problematical whether the Lord would issue today’s commission in identical terms. God always honours true faith, but true faith is not stupidity in action. God also honors preparation. The disciple who rides a carabao on the North Luzon Expressway today would soon be preaching to angels or talking to a judge! The original commission must be considered in the light of its true setting.

Today’s Reading:  Proverbs 30:5-9

PRAYER
Almighty Father, as an Old Testament holy man once said, Here I am; send me.  I trust your provision; on you alone will I depend. In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.