25th Week in Ord. Time, Wednesday – 22nd September 2021 — Gospel: Lk 9,1-6
Commission and Command in Ministry
The active ministry of the apostles who are sent by Jesus involves commission and command to continue his mission. The commission is given to those who have been following Jesus and the command is given for those who didn’t receive the apostles. The commission makes it clear that they are to do what Jesus does: “to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” Their power and authority is like that of Jesus, yet it is derived from him alone. They were simply sent to witness to who Jesus is, and to testify to God’s power through their actions. The apostles are commissioned to continue Jesus’ mission on earth. The command is to shake the dust from their feet when they leave a town that has not welcomed the apostles. This command includes both a warning to their listeners about the seriousness of rejecting the gospel and also an acknowledgement that the disciples are not responsible for the choice made by their hearers. Faith in the gospel is a divine gift that must be freely received by the one to whom it is offered. No amount of persuasion can coerce a person to faith. Ministers are not at fault when people reject their proclamation of the kingdom.
