Word to the Wise
Thursday, February 7, 2019 - Thursday in the 4th Week in Ordinary Time
[Heb 12:18-19, 21-24 and Mark 6:7-13]Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits,...So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. [Mark]
There is a moment in all four gospels when Jesus empowers the Twelve and other disciples to carry on his ministry. This can be a scary moment for any founder and disciples. The founder could wonder if the disciples can be trusted to do things rightly. The disciples could wonder if they have the confidence. What always captures my attention is that Jesus needs the rest of us to get things done. This means we have to take our baptismal commitment seriously!
The instructions that Jesus gives to the disciples are straightforward and clear. They are not to take advantage of their power but they are to serve and heal and preach repentance. Preaching has to be based on good example before a word is said. Can we do the same? AMEN