Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, "Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Our gospel today begins with the words, "Jesus was moved with pity for them for they were like sheep without a shepherd." There follows his sending the disciples to the "lost sheep." If the primary objective of the Gospels is to announce the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it must include their mission to the world.
The writings of the four evangelists have been called "biographies" of Jesus but that misses the point altogether. They were not interested in the biographer's questions: what school did he attend? who mentored him? where did he travel? what traumas did he suffer? what political events and societal movements shaped his teaching? Neither Matthew, Mark, Luke, nor John cared a whit about these questions
The four gospels are not biographies; they are our marching orders.
His resurrection appearances are very brief for that very reason. We're not to fasten upon how he looked when he rose, or what he had to say about being crucified. We should not be curious about the experience of dying or his abode among the dead. We might want to ask, "How does it feel to be raised from the dead?" We ask a similarly inane question of jockeys who've just won the Kentucky Derby, and football players after the Superbowl. Never mind all that!
He appeared to send us on our way! His mission was complete; his gospel was delivered. There is nothing more to say but, "Get going!"
"They were like sheep without a shepherd." If we pity some of our neighbors, family, and friends for the deplorable decisions they make and their absurd lifestyle, we announce, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
He doesn't send us to get in anyone's face. Our peaceful contentment within our disciplined life, limited as we are by lack of ability, time, affluence and influence, is obnoxious enough to some people. Why aren't we drinking alcohol daily and pursuing entertainment continually? Why are we volunteering to serve innumerable worthy causes? Why do we attend our daily prayers and weekly mass? We do we say, "God bless you!" for the simplest kindnesses?
Because we were sent from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
Advent is an extraordinary time to announce the Gospel precisely because so many people dear to us are helplessly sucked into the maelstrom of Christmas nonsense. By December 25th they'll be so tired they won't want to say "Merry Christmas."
Like sheep who have been found by a true shepherd, some will follow us to Bethlehem to see the Lamb of God lying in a manger.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.