In today's Gospel, Jesus sends out his 12 apostles to preach and heal in his name.
Holy Spirit, fill my heart and illuminate my mind. Help me to hear and understand God's message today. Help me to recognise when God is trying to speak to me in my daily life. Amen
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them,“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons,and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWzXdPPeSSA (Credit to Catholic Kids Media)
Say: In today’s Gospel, we will hear how Jesus sent his disciples to minister in his name. When he did this, he gave them very specific instructions.
Ask: What are some of the instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples when he sent them out? (He told them not to bring food or money or a second tunic; he told them to travel in pairs; he told them to stay in one house until they were ready to leave from that place.) Why do you think Jesus sent his disciples in pairs to minister? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: Jesus seemed to know the value of teamwork, and he thought it was so important that he made it one of the “rules” of Christian ministry. As Jesus’ disciples today, we too are sent to share Jesus' message with others. But we are not sent alone because we have the community of the Church, which supports us in our life of Christian discipleship.
Conclude in prayer together, thanking God for the gift of the community of faith that supports us in our life of discipleship.
Father in heaven, for the conversion of sinners, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen
