Gospel: Luke 9: 1-6
Today's Gospel may come as a shock to many as it relates to the mission statement of the Church and of every Christian. It bears little resemblance to any church strategic planning sessions where mission statements are crafted or much of the work we claim to do in Jesus' name. For Jesus gives it to us plainly: preach good news and cure people of their diseases.
To preach good news: the reign of God has come, mercy has been extended to all and in turn we must show mercy to others. To cure diseases: to be among God's people as Jesus was in order to heal others. God's kingdom and good news are not proclaimed from distant palace balconies through abstract decrees. God's kingdom and good news are proclaimed around a table through the sharing of a meal. It is proclaimed in our encounter with the infirm and poor.
If Jesus were to have undertaken a capital campaign, what would it look like? Would it be to construct a grand cathedral and clerical residence? Or would it be to send people out to heal others and provide for their needs in body, mind, and spirit? Today we have the mission statement from Jesus that informs our choices in such matters.
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