by Rev. Deacon Lawrence A. St. Onge

In the gospel today we heard how Jesus called his disciples together; blesses them and gives them power to expel demons and to heal. He tells them to take nothing with them and sends them out to teach and heal the people. If some do not accept them, they are to shake the dust of that place from their feet and move on.

Jesus gave his apostles both power and authority to speak and to act in his name – to cast out evil spirits, to heal, and to speak the word of God. Through the sacrament of our baptism, we became the adopted sons and daughters of God. The question we need ask ourselves is: do we recognize the power and authority which God entrusted to us to live and serve as his sons and daughters?

When Jesus speaks of power and authority in today’s gospel, he joins them together with love and humility. The world views power and authority as instruments of personal gain, whereas, Jesus teaches us to use them for the good of our neighbor.

We live in a world which is very sick, not in the flesh, but in spirit. The main focus of the world today, is power, wealth, possessions and what is pleasurable, and consequently, a great number of people have abandoned their faith, because they have no need of God.

In the gospel Jesus tells his disciples to travel light and to take nothing with them on their journey. His reason for this is that "poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and a preoccupation with possessions, and therefore, allows God to work in us and through us. God wants us to be dependent on Him, and not on ourselves, just as a little child is dependent upon its parents for everything.

The Lord entrusted us with His gifts and talents at our baptism. The question is: are we ready and eager to place ourselves at His service, to do whatever he bids us to do, and to witness His truth and saving power to whomever he sends us? We can do it if we trust – that is the key element. How well do we trust God to provide for all our needs?