Ex 19:2-6a
Romans 5:6-11
Matthew 9:36—10:8

We are Sent

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares with his disciples (and us) his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. The many signs Jesus performed with his teaching, preaching and healing made clear that the kingdom was already present on earth. In today’s gospel, a transition takes place when Jesus commissions his disciples to continue his mission, to continue doing the work that he has begun. “Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.” The mission of Jesus continues not only with the original disciples but with the Church in our own time. And we are the church!

Just as the disciples were sent to continue Jesus’ work and mission, so too the Church is sent by Jesus with that specific intention. The Church is the continuing presence of Jesus on earth. Every member of the Church is also sent by Jesus to contribute to his mission.

The Church teaches that the Kingdom is the presence of God in the world. The Kingdom is truly present in you and in me when we are following God and trying to be faithful to God’s word and Jesus’ mission. The Kingdom is present within us when we join with others who are also faithful to the Word of God. This is when the Kingdom becomes real and present within the believing community.

The mandate to be the presence of Jesus in our world is not an easy one to fulfill. We live in a world that is rife with violence, anger, disinformation, poverty, racism, exclusivism, and the list goes on. How can we make a difference in our homes, neighborhoods and cities? You and I probably know several people who live charitable and generous lives. They are always willing to go out of their way to help someone in need. They are not critical about family members, friends, neighbors, work associates, politicians, etc. They are faithful to their religious beliefs and are willing to share them with anyone who is open. Their words and behavior reflects their relationship with God and their role as present day disciples. We are called to do the same.

Let us pray this Sunday for a deeper awareness of God’s presence in our personal lives, in our Christian community and broader world. Let us ask that the Holy Spirit give us the vision to see how God is present in us and in our world. May we be open to the power of God’s Spirit to heal any negative words or behaviors within us. We are the Church. Let us live as faithful, practicing members.

In what ways do you believe you are sent to make the Kingdom of God real in your life?

How do you make your surroundings positive in spite of all the negativity in the world?