A Special Mission
Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
My dear encountered couples:
Jesus sent his twelve, specially selected apostles off to learn how to preach and teach. They had been with him for a long time, observing what he did, listening to what he said. Now it was time for them to experience a sort of field trip type of learning experience. They were to personally preach to others “the need for repentance,” they were to do their best to “expel demons,” and they were to “anoint the sick with oil.”
The most important part of the experience was to be that they learn to depend on God to help them and bring about their success. They were not to depend merely upon themselves or upon material aids.
“Take nothing on the journey but a walking stick,” Jesus had told them. “No food, no traveling bag, not a coin in the purses in your belts, and do not take a second tunic.” They were to travel light and depend upon God to supply what they would need.
Our lives are sort of a field trip. We are first to listen and learn, then put into practice the teachings of Christ. We are to rely on God for a happy and successful life more than on material helps. That is not easy when we can’t see God. That’s part of the faith test.
The apostles managed, so have many people since them. And I know you will too. Jesus has sent you into the world on a special mission. What is your mission? To love!
