Imagine If...

Gospel: Luke 6: 12-19

The Gospels make it quite clear that the call of the Twelve Apostles and sending them forth for mission that Jesus intrinsically connects that mission to healing, delivering people from what binds them, and nourishing them.  The twelve are the first to be called and sent for this mission, and then later all disciples are called to this mission.  To heal others, deliver them from what possesses them, and to feed others is the fundamental mission of the Church.

Imagine if the bishops of the Church were to regularly go to hospitals and nursing homes to anoint the sick.  Imagine if they regularly visited those in prison, feed others at soup kitchens, and sit with those struggling with addictions.  Imagine if bishops regularly celebrated the sacraments with their people, witnessing marriages, presiding at funerals, hearing confessions.  Perhaps these things should be the listening sessions of the Church and not those of high priced consulting firms.

If we are looking for a way of forming disciples, let this be the way.  If the pastors of the Church were to go out in this way ministering to the world, the people of God will follow them, and the world will be transformed by an outpouring of loving kindness and mercy that the Lord Jesus hoped might come forth from his disciples.