Thoughts for the Day

Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, 'Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.' So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We come across that word 'authority' again in Mark's Gospel. He uses it 40 times, and here he says that Jesus gives authority to his disciples to heal, exorcise, and teach the people.

When I started parish work in England years ago the Bishop conferred on me "the cure of souls, which is both mine and yours". It is a most precious gift, but what does it mean? Well for me it meant the care of all souls in the parish (not just the congregation of the church), and covered pastoral care, preaching, prayer for the people, and teaching, among other things.

This special authority starts with Jesus sending out his disciples to work in all the nearby villages, and it continues today. All Christians are called to follow in Jesus' footsteps, and to carry out mission work. God calls each one of us to care for others, to pray for them, and to learn enough about our faith to pass the Good News on to others.

Lord God,
You call each of us to do
mission work in your world;
to pass on the Good News of
the Gospel;
and to care for all Your people.
May we never forget this
charge, especially at this
most difficult time.
Amen.