What We Are to Do

Gospel: Matthew 9: 36 -10: 8

In today's Gospel portion Jesus calls people to carry out the mission he himself has been undertaking in every town and village.  It is to go about healing people of the infirmities they have; liberating people from the demons that hold them bound; and feeding people at table wherever we go.  Those are the three fundamental tasks of every disciple whom the Lord calls to the work in his vineyard in every part of the world in every time.  

What is more, the disciple is called to live a life of simplicity.  This work cannot be undertaken with the burden of many possessions.  The work cannot be done in elaborate episcopal palaces or clad in the fineries of office.  For this work takes place among the people - where they live, where they work, and where they congregate.  The work requires that we go out to meet people where they are at, not to sit confined in cathedrals amidst golden liturgical wares and statuary.  

People in need cannot wait for listening sessions, paid consultants, and endless meetings of ecclesiastical bodies to make decisions and action plans.  We do not need expensive programs on discipleship to tell us what to do.  Today's Gospel passage gives us all we need.  Let us go forth into the world healing people, liberating them, and feeding them as the Lord Jesus had done, living simply and humbly among those we serve and care for.