Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 9:35-10:1, 5A, 6-8
December 3, 2022 | Saturday

Today’s Gospel

Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”

Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.

Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: “Do not vis it pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town.

Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.

Today’s Reflection:

Jesus’ first instruction to his disciples was for them not to go among the Gentiles and not to enter any town of the Samaritans, but to limit their mission to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (vv. 5-6). There, they were to proclaim the Good News that the kingdom of heaven was at hand (v. 7). The Lord’s mandate was clear: we need to proclaim God’s kingdom to our own household. This seems tough because the more people know us, the more that they will not listen to our words. Thus, the greatest challenge for us is how to become living witnesses of what we preach and of our faith. Paul VI said: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (EV 41). /Vulnerasti, 2022