Thoughts for the Day

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The twelve disciples spent three years with Jesus, learning from him, and now he sends them out to preach the good news of the Kingdom, to cure diseases, and to heal the sick. This may have happened more than once, for like all disciples they had a lot to learn, and often made mistakes, as we see when they sent the children away. (Matthew 19.13-15).

We too follow 'The Way of the Lord', and are disciples of Jesus. We are called to different tasks. But what the task is can be unknown until we get what might be called a 'tap on the shoulder' that doesn't go away! Those called to be clergy as with the original disciples are also trained, and like them they will make mistakes, certainly I did.

However their work is slightly different as we can see if we look at the work of a modern priest today, as described by one denomination, the Church of England.* A priest is called to be a servant and a shepherd. They are to proclaim the word of the Lord and to watch for the signs of God’s new creation. They are to be messengers, watchmen and stewards of the Lord; and they are to teach and to admonish. They are to call their hearers to repentance and to declare in Christ’s name the absolution and forgiveness of their sins. They are to bless the people in God’s name. They are to minister to the sick and prepare the dying for their death.

We should note that nowhere does it say anything about church buildings, graveyards, or 'faculties' (ie planning permission for church buildings), or graveyards, yet these can swallow up our clergy's time and energy.

* Only para 1 is paraphrased here, unfortunately there is no space for para 2, on worship.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You call all of us to use our gifts and talents,
and some will be chosen to train as priests,
others as ministers of the Word,
others as teachers,
others as healers,
and others as missionaries.
Help us to support those chosen
for all this work,
and if we are called to work in this way,
then give us the courage to go forward for training.
Amen.