In today’s Gospel, the Lord calls the Twelve to himself and begins sending them out two by two. Here is the sign of every vocation: it is the Lord who calls and sends. Many times, we can self-appoint or auto-call ourselves to things we like; we do many things because they make us feel useful, we try to do good, perhaps, but often not for the sake of doing good, but to be recognized. We can run the risk of not dying to ourselves to make room for the Lord. It is written that “the Lord called them.” There is a voice that calls: we often don’t like to listen to this voice because we are afraid it will tell us things we don’t want to hear, and so we run; we try to dodge ourselves, but we don’t know where we are going.
The missionary mandate that Jesus gives to the Twelve has an important characteristic that distinguishes it. This characteristic is “communion”. The sending out in pairs tells us that, against all forms of individualism, the first testimony of faith which we are called to give, is that of knowing how to stay together – communion, community.
Divine Gift and Calling
Jesus sends us forth, and every aspect of this mission is his gift. When we allow ourselves to be gradually placed in his hands in all things, we enter into a reciprocal exchange: receiving and giving every good. Jesus’s sending is not for our own glorification, but so that we may do good in the world.
Saint Agatha: A Model of Goodness
Today is the memorial of Saint Agatha, whose name, derived from the Greek ἀγαθός (agathós), means “good,” “noble,” and “virtuous.” Her name evokes a loving, kind, and sensitive personality. Through Saint Agatha’s intercession, let us strive always to embody goodness and to do good in all things.
