Living as missionary disciples in three not-so-easy steps

Wednesday in the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle I

Ezra 9, 5-9; Lk 9, 1-6

St Vincent de Paule

Every time I enter a bookshop I always struck by the stands of "self-help books". I am impressed with the large variety of books which supposedly help you lead a happier, more peaceful and productive life. They usually have very inviting titles and book cover designs, such as, "SEVEN STEPS TO A BETTER YOU" or, "EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN TEN EASY RULES". The last one I came across said, "HOW TO FACE ADVERSITY, BUILD RESILIENCE AND FIND JOY." I am sure that many people find these books very helpful. The last one was a New York Times bestseller and there is a market for them so people must really find them helpful.

However in today's gospel Jesus offers us his teaching of how to lead a more peaceful, more productive and happier life. We find him calling the disciples and commissioning them to proclaim the good news. After all that is who we are and what our mission is. As baptised, we are missionary disciples and therefore today's gospel speaks to us specifically in virtue of us being missionary disciples. Jesus is therefore giving us a programme for life. It is not something you schedule in your google calendar and say, next week I am going to proclaim the Good News, I am going to be a missionary disciple. No. That has started on the very day of our baptism and we actualise it every moment of our lives, whether we are alone or with others, whether we are at home or at work, whether we are on facebook or in the pub.

Jesus gives us three simple instructions:

ONE: take nothing with you. I was following the weather channel when the hurricanes were hitting Texas and Florida and the Caribbean and the presenter was saying what to prepare: flashlights, spare batteries, water, food, prescription medicine. Here Jesus is telling us not to take anything with us. It is a strong statement, but his point is to remind us of our dependence on him and that we must put all our trust in him, and in him only. We need our material possessions, but we cannot depend on them. We all need a bank account but the bank account will not save us. Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that our popularity will save us, or how well do people speak about us, or we trust in our intelligence or wit. These are all like the sack, the food or the second tunic that Jesus mentions. They will not save us. Only Jesus will.

TWO: "Wherever you enter, stay there and leave from there." Nowadays the variety of products has grown so much that it is very easy to switch from one product to another. However this has also made us very hard to please. We keep switching from one thing to another hoping that some day we will find something that suits us. This happens with the things we buy, with our relationships, with our lifestyles. Jesus here is telling us, do not stay switching from one household to another. In other words, as they used to tell us at the seminary, "Bloom where you are planted!" It  might take time, it might be painful at first, you might need to adapt yourself, but stay there. Put down your roots, build relationships, accept things you cannot change. Then, when it is time to move on - but only then - move on.

THREE: "As for those who do not welcome you ... shake the dust from your feet." In a way this is related to the first principle. You cannot please everyone and you can not change anyone except yourself. Remember that as missionary disciples, we are not here to represent ourselves but to represent God. Do not take things personally when you feel rejected. Why do you grow bitter and harbour resentment? In front of failures in life, keep moving because after all it is God who is in charge.

May our entire lives as missionary disciples be a faithful witness of God's everlasting love and mercy.