Dear Saints,

Our readings this weekend encourage us to depend on the Lord’s provision. Jesus is sending us on mission, and he will make sure we have what we need to carry it out.

The Gospel passage has Jesus sending his disciples out as preachers of the kingdom of God. They are to prepare Jesus’ way by proclaiming, “the kingdom of God is at hand.”

There are two matters of particular interest to us:

1. The disciples are to make no provision for their material wellbeing.

2. They are to show no concern for their “success.” The disciples may be embraced or rejected by the people to whom they are sent, but it isn’t theirs to change Jesus’ mission for them or the message they are to bring to the surrounding towns.

Pulling these points together, we can say that the disciples’ task is to stay focused on their mission: Jesus will provide for their needs, and they shouldn’t worry about their effectiveness.

We can take this to heart. Jesus has entrusted to us his light-bearing mission: We are to bring God’s love to life wherever we go, no matter the challenges and difficulties. Trusting that Jesus will provide what we need, our only task is to follow his call. The only true measure of our success is our faithfulness to him.

In the Peace of Christ,

Father Daniel

δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ

PS. It’s only a couple of weeks until the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (July 17th). Make sure you have the date in your calendar!