Simplicity

When Jesus sent out His disciples to continue His work, He gave them definite directions. Afterwards, they returned in a spirit of celebration to report on their missionary successes.

At election time, we get lots of literature in the post or on social media or people calling at our door to canvass our vote. The canvassers, who usually travel in twos, will be well briefed and they have their arguments polished and ready. Since they represent the candidate, they stay “on message,” echoing the political manifesto of the candidate’s party. On a regular basis, they return to headquarters to report on their progress.

Today’s Gospel is about a deeper target than voters, but there are similarities. He sent them out in pairs. Although Jesus called each one individually, He never sent them out alone. There are just two episodes when an apostle went out alone: one was to betray him, the other ended up denying him. The support of others is essential to living the Gospel. Even a hermit has to be commissioned by a community and must stay in touch with that group.

Jesus sent them out like lambs among wolves. That wasn’t very encouraging, but they had a choice. They could preach a message that made people comfortable in their complacency; or they could preach the message of Jesus that called for fundamental change. But He promised them the gift of healing, and they returned full of enthusiasm for the welcome they received at people’s doorsteps. They had obeyed Jesus —and it worked. They experienced for themselves His healing power.

Our discipleship can be summed up in two phrases: “Come and see” and “Go and tell.” If we have personally felt the value of having Jesus in our lives, we will want to tell others about Him.

There is a difference between witnessing and preaching. We are all called to witness, but not all are called to preach. We all bear witness to Christ through the quality of our living. Let’s ask ourselves, “If you were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?”

Imagine after a nuclear disaster there were only a hundred people alive on this earth. Using today’s statistics, about seventy of them would be poor, while thirty would be comparatively well off. Ninety-three would grumble that seven held half the money, ate one third of the food, and had more doctors looking after them than they did.

The real problem is when the seven will have the nerve to evangelize the ninety-three. How can they tell us about the wonderful savior they have, who talks about sharing, feeding the hungry, while the seven throw out more food than would feed all of the ninety-three.

A certain simplicity of lifestyle would be needed, if the Good News is to be really credible from those who try to share it.