Be the proclamation of God's Kingdom

 

Welcome to my blog. Peace be with you.

Today in our daily reading we move to the 9^th chapter of Luke. Verses we do not read on weekdays are read on Sundays in Year C.

I have numbered the ideas expressed in the passage. This should help us follow the  development of the passage.

Wednesday 23 September 2020

Be the proclamation of God's Kingdom

 

Gospel

Luke 9:1-6

'Take nothing for the journey'

1.      Jesus called the Twelve together

2.      and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases,

3.      and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God

4.      and to heal.

5.      He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic.

6.      Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there.

7.      As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’

8.      So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News

9.      and healing everywhere.

 

The mission is Jesus’ mission. He will not, however, do it all on his own. He takes the Twelve as his collaborators. The mission of the Church and of each individual is the mission of Jesus. He uses us too as collaborators in his mission of bringing salvation to the world.

He gave them the necessary power and authority. He will do the same for us. They are to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Jesus is the Way to the Kingdom. He also gave them power to banish Satan and heal sicknesses which ultimately come from Satan.

Since the mission is his, he will provide his missionaries with the necessary money. They are not to rely on themselves and so they must leave behind everything which secular people would consider essential. He will provide for their daily bread.

They are not to show partiality, such as seeking out wealthy believers who will give them very comfortable hospitality. They are to accept the hospitality of the poor too.

When we claim to be his disciples, we should realise that he calls us to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Our lives should manifest our belief in the Kingdom. While living in this world, we should not be attached to this world and the benefits which this world provides. Our minds and hearts should be set on lasting joys. Our life should be a proclamation of the Kingdom.