Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Hos 11: 1-4, 8-9; Mt 10: 7-15
Jesus explicitly instructed his disciples that their focus is to be on the mission, “The kingdom of God has come near” (Mt 10:7). The mission is action-oriented, to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons.”
These were done by Jesus and now the disciples are to give what they have seen, learned, and received from him. Jesus at one time also said to them, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.” (Jn 14:12).
It may sound skeptical to us that we are capable of supernatural things. If we have not known and experienced Jesus truly, we probably will not have any idea that he can do such things through us. The blind spots that block or prevent us from seeing and fully giving ourselves to God are our baggage of worries about the needs to be met.
Another tough demand is “You received without paying, give without pay.” The consumerism has very much influenced our behaviors and leads us to unhealthy relationship with others using God’s names as means to achieve our ends. Jesus expects us to give more than what we have received.
Christian life is all about self-emptying and self-giving. When we do not have attachments, our mission will be light and effective. My principle of life is to live as Christ lived, for this, I need to be fully available and submit my will to his will.