The Missionary Behaviour!

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Hos 11:1-4,8-9; Mt 10:7-15

Today’s Gospel highlights the proper behaviour of missionaries who are sent on God’s mission.  

At first, Jesus invites the disciples to maintain the formula of proclamation, which is to announce the imminent coming of God’s Kingdom. A disciple may make any place his or her missionary destination, but stick to this formula. 

Secondly, Jesus instructs his disciples to heal the sick. Beyond physical illnesses (sickness and death), Jesus wants them to heal those illnesses (leprosy) that subject people to physical and ceremonial pollution. Here, we cannot overlook the emphasis that Jesus gives to the mission of spiritual healing (devils), as physical illnesses form a transition to illnesses primarily spiritual. 

Thirdly, Jesus requires that the healing mission is a gift from those who announce the coming of God’s Kingdom. The gratuitous recipients should give those gifts gratuitously too. 

Fourthly, Jesus distinguishes between missionaries and ordinary travelers. Hence, it would be inappropriate for disciples to rely on material comforts for the road like ordinary travelers. Instead, Jesus wants his disciples to rest assured that everything necessary will be provided for them by the Master whom they serve. 

Finally, when Jesus comments on the worthiness of those who receive the disciples, he also means that for the disciples, the very act of entering the houses is an occasion for imparting a spiritual blessing of peace.

As Jesus highlights proper missionary behaviour, he wants us to imbibe those traits to make God’s mission fruitful. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar