THURSDAY of 4th WEEK, uneven year
"Then he summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits.And Jesus instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff-no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purse. They were to wear sandals, bur, he added, ’Don’t take a spare tunic.’
Not only does God choose us but he gives us the gift of his grace, he draws us into a friendship with him despite our sinfulness, and still today, whatever the load of misery we may bear, whatever the failure or fragility of our spiritual life, whatever shadows may exist in our family or community life, God the Father, Our Father, offers to us through his beloved Son the forgiveness of our sins. Better still, God has us know “the mystery of his will”, that is, the plan of love that was hidden for so long and which is now revealed in Christ; this project of success that God formed for the world and for each of his children. The sending off on mission of the apostles concerns us. “Jesus summoned the twelve and for the first time sent them out two by two. He gave them authority over unclean spirits.”For the first time“Jesus sends the Apostles, they are first and foremost people who have been called and they are sent together by Jesus! The one who receives this”sending out“is first and foremost someone who has been called within his brothers and they are sent out”two by two“. They went off proclaiming the need for conversion. Jesus sends those who accompanied him as he was announcing the Infinite Love of the Father. So that this love be announced it needs to be lived as Jesus lived and announced it.”And he said to them, ’If you enter house anywhere, stay until you leave the district.And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust under your feet as evidence to them.“At Baptism, the Spirit of the Lord marked our forehead with a seal that was invisible to our eyes, but the Holy Spirit will always recognize this print. God’s Spirit is in our intimate self : you are a son you inherit from God the life he gives you and the burst of life of our very existence.The Holy Spirit is in us, from now on. All this is the very basis of our faith, we know where we come from, and we know where God is leading us towards. From now on, all self-assurance is permitted; the Infinite Love of God becomes incarnate in every person and n the community remaining in a state of poverty. The Word made its way into the heart of the one who is called to announce it and the message of the Infinite Love of God is announced by all the Apostles together.”He gave them authority over
unclean spirits.“This” power“is the power of the Infinite Love of God.This Love is Light for the life of those who receive it. Everywhere where this light penetrates darkness is dispersed.There where life is spread, death takes a step backwords.Wherever love is given, hatred loses its footing.This sending off on mission is bringing up to date the victory of Jesus’ Love which tomorrow will be lived outcon the Cross. This victory is prepared by the Word of the Apostles :”They left and proclaimed the need for conversion.“”So they set off to proclaim repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.“There is no security in Jesus sending out his Apostles except in the fact of him sending them out”two by two.“Right from the start, they had to accept working in a team. Christ’s missionary is someone with a light burden on his shoulders, without the time to settle down, he is in a rush for he bears a message to the world of conversion. So he is a believer who has accepted for ever the law of exodus. For those who accept he plan of God which ensures peace, faith is a security. The apostles have become” a new creature" thanks to Jesus who is Sent from God. They have clothed Christ and from now on announce Christ and His Infinite Love. As far as we our concerned, we shall always have to work on being converted! So a proposition is made to humanity : to make fundamental change. It is the mystery of our whole being which receives the message, which is nourished from it and which becomes a message. The new covenant is a relationship of love, in the greatest intimacy, in the night of faith. It is the mystery of our origins in Christ. We are the servants of the Holy Spirit sent by the Father and who are at work in the world to announce the Good News of our Salvation.