September 24, 2014

Today’s gospel:  Luke 9:1-6

Our theme verse is about there being no one in need (Acts 4:34a). One of the aspects related to the theme is about our evangelization (Acts 4:31b). In today’s gospel we are able to connect the two. The ideal of “no one in need” is not just about the poor, but also about God’s evangelizers and missionaries. In doing the work of evangelization, we sometimes look too much to our resources, in particular, the lack of them. Do we have the money? Do we have the people and leaders? Do we have the contacts? Do we have the participants? Do we have the many different aspects needed for effective evangelization?

Well, Jesus tells us, as he told the Twelve, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.” (v.3). What Jesus is essentially saying is that he requires (1) absolute detachment as a true disciple, and (2) total trust in and dependence on His provision. Jesus knows we need many components of mission, and we actually should adequately prepare ourselves for our mission. But Jesus also says, that as we respond to his call to do the work of evangelization and mission, that there will be no one in need, because he will provide.

Jesus “gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases” (v.1). Jesus provides them lodging. “Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.” (v.4). The Lord provides spiritual resources as well as material resources. So that for all His authentic disciples, there will be no one in need.

So let us not focus on what we seemingly do not have, but on what God has already given us in order to do His work. It is His work after all, and it will be His provision, and it is He who will provide the fruit. So go forth. “Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.” (v.6).