Posts Tagged ‘Matthew 10:7-15’
Fish for People – Br. Luke Ditewig
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Br. Luke Ditewig
After years fishing with our father Zebedee, I was shocked and amazed to be following a rabbi. My brother and I know how to be on boats, to weave nets, and listen to the sea. Instead, we went from village to village witnessing Jesus teach and heal, living in community, and helping with crowd control. We were up close traveling, eating, and talking with Jesus. We witnessed miracles. Scripture came alive. We changed by being with Jesus, and we saw each other change in our group. We received the good news and lived it. What a joy to see Jesus spread it.
Then Jesus sent us out to do the same. Like many invitations, I didn’t understand and pushed back first. Who was I to preach, heal, and cast out demons? Who were we as fishermen and ordinary folk to do the same stuff as Jesus?
But we did. We went out speaking in households and in the markets, to individuals and crowds. We found we indeed were given a voice and authority. We prayed for the sick, and they were healed. We prayed for the possessed, and demons left.
Jesus invites beyond our expectations, and Jesus enables. Jesus both gives power and teaches humility. We were sent out with little, indeed less than our usual. We found receptive people who hosted us in their homes and provided for us. We couldn’t serve on our own terms, in control with our own provisions. We had to rely on others. As Jesus had said, some places rejected us, and so we left.
Being chosen to follow Jesus is a shocking and amazing journey. What’s your experience? How has following Jesus surprised and changed you?
What is Jesus inviting? It’s ok if you don’t understand it now. Jesus will enable and reveal.
Jesus sent and empowered me to fish for people. [i]
[i] Matthew 4:19
Be a Miracle Worker! – Jonathan Maury
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Matthew 10:7-15
“Go forth with this message,” says Jesus, “the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Observing Hebrew reticence in speaking the name of God, these disciples are to speak of the longed-for mercy, justice and compassion of God’s already present and gracious reign. In their own persons, the twelve are to do as Jesus has already done: “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.”
In taking up this mission with Jesus, the twelve are called to radical dependence on the provision of God.
And so are you and I. Read More
The kingdom of heaven has come near – Br. David Allen
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Here is my sermon for this morning. As I began to write it I thought it would be quite easy, simply finding present day equivalents for categories, but I found I was doing more re-writing as I went along, right up to 30 minutes before time to get ready to preside and preach.
David Allen, SSJE
[Mt. 10:7-15]
Jesus sent his 12 Disciples out on mission with these words of admonition; “As you go proclaim the good news, ‘the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” The concept of the kingdom of heaven as a network of love was becoming real for the disciples. Hearing Jesus’ teaching on the kingdom by parables brought them a clearer understanding. This would grow in time, as it does for most of us. Read More