Daily Reflections ...

In today’s gospel, Jesus sends the disciples out on their own to proclaim the good news. However, they were not really alone as the authority of Jesus went with them.

The proclamation of the Good News would be enough to sustain them. They needed “no gold, silver or copper, no bag, clothes, shoes or staff”. With Jesus’ authority they had the power to perform healing, and this “good news” of healing would have presumably elicited a response of gratitude from people such that the disciples would have had their temporal needs met.

In Christ we have the authority to proclaim the good news to all. And, like the apostles, we proclaim the good news just as we are. We don’t need to do a course, or wait until a committee agrees, or buy a data projector, or have a fancy website.

Here are some questions to consider in light of today’s gospel: Do I believe that in the Name of Jesus I have the authority to pray over sickness, demons and even those who have died? Has something happened in my life which I would say was a miracle? What stops me from proclaiming good news on the bus, in the queue, around a table or in the workplace?

Lord Jesus give me the grace to proclaim your Good News with confidence, with boldness, and with courage. Exercise your authority in me, so that all may know that you, Jesus, are the One who saves. Amen.

by Moira Thompson