Readings: Prov. 30:5-9, Ps.119, Luke 9:1-6
Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
THE SACRIFICIAL NATURE OF OUR MISSION AS CHRISTIANS
The
way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about
our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in
the midst hostile environment. Because the hostility, persecution and the
influential power of things of this world seems as if they are not stopping
soon for they are getting tougher. Therefore, if we are really willing to live
out our Christian faith and obligations towards the mission of Christ, then we
need to make a radical decision towards our discipleship in a personal and
radical way.
This
is what Jesus is teaching his disciples in our Gospel passage today, when he
called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils
and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and
to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor
haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there.
As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust
from your feet as a sign to them.’
Here,
Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions, but he wants to
expose the sacrificial nature of our mission. Hence, Jesus demands a total
commitment towards the journey of discipleship once begun or not beginning it
at all. Because, following Jesus demands the sacrifice of all that we have. For
none of us can become his disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for
worldly pleasures and possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance
to Jesus over all other competing loyalties in our lives including family,
self-interest, and possessions.
Dear
friends, we are called today to make a radical decision to sincerely and
faithfully carryout the mission of Christ entrusted to us . But how much are we willing to let go for the
sake of the mission of Christ? Why are we finding it difficult to follow
Jesus? What is that habitual desires and
possessions that are holding us for making this radical decision today? It is
time for us to let them go in order to focus more on the mission Christ has
entrusted to us. Therefore, let us to follow in the examples all the other
great disciple who had given their time, energy and even lives for the
salvation of many souls.
LET US
PRAY: Heavenly Father, today we are called to a sacrificial journey of Christ
mission. Because our excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing
world have weakened our hearts towards our mission, give us courage and grace
to let go of our ugly desires, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing
people and things that are dear to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen. Do have a fruitful day.
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