Today's Thoughts...

Today’s Thoughts: In today’s Gospel, we find Mark’s account of Jesus sending his disciples out on their first mission adventure. The word “mission” comes from the Latin word for “send” and so Jesus sends his disciples out into the world with instructions about how they are to go about mission, how they are to proclaim God’s Kingdom.
 
Their basic instruction is to trust in God’s care, fidelity and mercy as they go about their mission. They are to place their full trust in God by taking nothing with them. They are to trust in Jesus’ words. They are to take no food, nor money. If they are willing to trust then they will cure many, drive out demons and preached God’s call to believe. This is their mission.
 
Jesus tells them it is not going to be easy. They can expect rejection or at least not to be accepted just because he sent them to do something good for others. The disciples are told to expect rejection but when it comes, don’t give up! Just keep on doing and saying what they have seen and heard from Jesus. In other words, they are to keep moving, to keep proclaiming the Good News.
 
In last week’s Gospel, Jesus returned to his hometown and was rejected and so he had to move on. This week the disciples, the early church and us, are given the same message. As we go about God’s work in the world today, with all of it divisions, hurt, anger, and hate we should not expect to be welcomed with open-arms and acceptance.
 
In the first reading today, Amos tried announcing God’s word and he gets rejected. Jesus always seems to get people angry by his teaching and curing. Modern-day prophets have spoken the Good News and offered graceful assistance and have often gotten early entrances into eternal life for their efforts.
 
We as Church and as individuals on mission are called to leave the mass, to leave our moments of prayer, to leave our comfort zones and live the Good News. We are to trust in God to do the rest. We are to reach out, challenge, and comfort the needs of others and to know that at times our offerings will be rejected, and our extended hands slapped away. The early disciples had to trust Jesus’ word, they had to trust in God’s faithfulness. We later disciples must do the same!
 
Have a great Sunday everyone and don’t forget to give God a little time today!