DAILY GOSPEL COMMENTARY:
THE APOSTLES’ MISSION (Lk 9:1–6).
Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He 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. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.
Gospel Commentary from the Navarre Bible, Commentary to the Gospel of St. Luke (with permission)
- 1-4 This is the first mission the Apostles were sent on.
- Jesus wants them to gain experience which will stand to them in the mission they will have after he ascends into heaven. He charges them to do what he himself did — preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick. This scene is commented on at greater length in notes on Mt 10:7-8; 10:9-10; and Mk 6:8-9.
Gospel Commentary from the Navarre Bible, Commentary to the Gospel of St. Matthew (with permission)
- 7-8 Previously, the prophets, when speaking of the messianic times, had used imagery suited to the people’s spiritual immaturity.
- Now, Jesus, in sending his Apostles to proclaim that the promised Kingdom of God is imminent, lays stress on its spiritual dimension.
- The powers mentioned in v. 8 are the very sign of the Kingdom of God or the reign of the Messiah proclaimed by the prophets.
- At first (chaps. 8 and 9) it is Jesus who exercises these messianic powers; now he gives them to his disciples as proof that his mission is divine (Is 35:5-6; 40:9; 52:7; 6 1:1).
- 9-10 Jesus urges his disciples to set out on their mission without delay. They should not be worried about material or human equipment: God will make up any shortfall.
- This holy audacity in setting about God’s work is to be found throughout the history of the Church: if Christians had bided their time, waiting until they had the necessary material resources, many, many souls would never have received the light of Christ.
- Once a Christian is clear in his mind about what God wants him to do, he should not stay at home checking to see if he has the wherewithal to do it. “In your apostolic undertakings you are right — it’s your duty — to consider what means the world can offer you (2 + 2 = 4), but don’t forget — ever! — that, fortunately, your calculations must include another term: God + 2 + 2 (St. Josemaria, The Way, 471).
- However, that being said, we should not try to force God’s hand, to get him to do something exceptional, when in fact we can meet needs by our own efforts and work.
- This means that Christians should generously support those who, because they are totally dedicated to the spiritual welfare of their brothers, have no time left over to provide for themselves: in this connexion cf. Jesus’ promise in Mt 10:40-42.
VIDEO COMMENTARY
TOPIC: WHAT MOTIVATES US TO DO GOOD?
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