Homilies

15th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: THE MISSIONARY INSTRUCTIONS OF JESUS

THE TWELVE ARE the closest collaborators of Jesus in his ministry. In the gospel text, we heard of the summoning of them by Jesus in order to be sent for mission. We guess that the Twelve did not take a very long preparation, in terms of formation as missionaries. But Jesus planned to send them this time. But before it happened, he gave some important instructions to them.

Firstly, the gospel says that Jesus sends the Twelve in pairs or “two by two”. Jesus did not allow his disciples to go without a company. Sending missionaries in pairs is very useful. Jesus was aware that a disciple needs somebody to support him and to collaborate with him. “Two minds are better than one”, as the saying goes. This sending of disciples in pair simply suggests that the mission work is not private and individual. It is something communal and collaborative.

Secondly, Jesus also instructs them to travel lightly: “no food, no sack, no money in their belts”. These instructions would mean that the Twelve will be dependent on the hospitality of others, as well as, the providence of God. Jesus has his reason why the disciples had to be simple in their lifestyle. The emphasis is the witness and the dependence on God’s providence.

Some modern missionaries bring some goods to the poorer missions. This is valid because evangelization should be integral. Missionaries don’t only look after the spiritual needs of the people they serve, but also their material needs, as long as the situation warrants. However, missionaries should be careful in dealing with this. If they overemphasize the bodily needs over the spiritual, there will be a danger. People will only see the “material goods” a missionary brings, and thus, they would fail to see the Christ that that missionaries are expected to bring to them.

Thirdly, we heard of the specific apostolates of the Twelve: “they preached repentance, they drove out demons, and they cured the sick”. These were done by Jesus during his public ministry. This only suggests that the work of the apostles is in continuity with the mission of Jesus. The apostles are connected with Jesus. Indeed, they were sent by Jesus, their Master.

Lastly, let us emphasize that mission work is every Christian’s business. In the First Reading, the Prophet Amos tells us: “I was no prophet, nor have I belonged to a company of prophets; I was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores.  The Lord took me from following the flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel.”

Many of us have do not feel being called.  We are very much like prophet Amos, going about our own business and doing what we have to do to earn our living.  However, prophet Amos tells us that he was taken by the Lord from following his flock and told to prophesy to God’s people Israel.

By our baptism, we share in the three-fold function of Christ: priest, king and prophet.  As priests, we are called to intercede for others. As kings, we are called to serve others.  As prophets, we proclaim the word of God. Thus, lay people are also called to be missionaries. Parents, in particular, do not need to go over their own doorsteps in order to preach. Parents are the evangelizers of the family. One of the most effective proclamations of the gospel can be carried out by educating their children in the Catholic faith, and by upholding Christian values in their homes. AMEN.

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