An Apostolic Mission of Holy Delegation

Gospel Reflection for September 25, 2024

“Then having summoned the twelve apostles, he gave them power and authority over all the devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and do not leave the place. And whoever does not receive you—go forth from that town and shake off even the dust from your feet for a witness against them.’ And going forth, they went about village to village, preaching the gospel and working cures everywhere.” (Lk 9:1-6 NAB)

Imagine what it must have been like to be alongside Jesus as he performed various miracles to a people in need. And what could it mean to these chosen twelve apostles, having seen Christ cast out demons, and cure the sick, now with the ability to share in this power and act on Christ’s behalf? Imagine even, how their own faith was deepened, the honor they must have felt. The miracles that tended to natural and supernatural well-being were after all a glimpse of what they were preaching—the glory of the kingdom of God.

Each Gospel writer certainly has a unique personality or style of writing. God considered each writer’s temperaments and character traits as well as their background and experiences to convey different perspectives of His Word. One might consider then, a reminder given by the esteemed church father Eusebius, that Luke was born a gentile and was a convert to the faith. Perhaps this conversion held deep significance, considering the nature of the conversion process where a new conviction of faith is discovered without previous cultural influences. Most importantly however, was that God was aware of all this. Luke’s background and his individual uniqueness revealed an artistic and direct approach in his writing showing his astuteness for getting right to the essence of meaning. “…[S]haking even the dust from your feet,” in testimony against those whom the truth hadn’t moved or affected as it had Luke, seems to need no further elaboration other than to simply just move on—which was the essence of Christ’s command.

This important Gospel passage as mirrored in all the synoptic Gospels signifies the preparation of the Apostle’s being given authority and power, foreshadowing the Church that is to come once Christ would take his seat at the right hand of the Father. As we reflect on this Gospel passage, we are reminded of Christ’s coming to establish his Church on earth, by which all of God’s authority and power to act would be passed on from the Apostles to and perpetuated through an enduring priesthood of Christ’s One, Holy and Apostolic Church.