12 July 2015: 15th Sunday in Ordinary time

I have always wondered why the Lord sent his disciples in pairs and not as individuals. They could have covered more ground if they were each sent alone. Jesus mush have had a purpose for sending them in pairs.

Collaboration is an important factor for mission. In fact, even secular missions to succeed need collaboration. We need companions on this journey to encourage and console each other, to pray for each other as well as support each other in different ways ways. We collaborate not only with God but others too.

So before the disciples set out on mission, Jesus gives them some guidelines. We too need guidelines in our life. To succeed on this mission or we need to follow guidelines the Lord himself gives us.

Another important aspect of this week’s gospel is that, authority overcome evil came from the Lord. It is the Lord who empowers us. We need to seek His help as we fight evil in its different faces in this world.

Then there is the need to completely trust in the Lord on this journey. Jesus demands that His disciples should set out on their mission absolutely empty-handed except for a walking stick! Even when they disciples took nothing with them, they did not lack anything.

(Paul Samasumo, Radio Vatican)

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