By Siju Pappachan, CSC –
Readings: Gen 46: 1-7, 28-30; Mt 10: 16-23
Jesus, who was a radical leader during his time, is asking his disciples to be a radical leader as he was. The call to leadership expects self-sacrifice and total commitment. Jesus is offering no comfort and acceptance in this life but in the life to come. Jesus places before them the struggles that they would undergo. Jesus was aware of the struggles that he would have to undergo as a master and the same would be the situation of his followers too. Jesus was handed over to the governor and scourged at the pillar.
In spite of these scary verses, Jesus promises us the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us during the time of persecution and struggles. He says that do not worry about how to respond or what to say. God would give us the right words at the right time (Mt 10:19, Lk 12:12).
The life of Moses was a perfect example for the presence and guidance of the Spirit at the time he required it the most. Moses refused to go to Egypt when he was asked by the God to bring back Israelites to the promised land by stating that he is stammerer. But God said to him, “Now then go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say” (Ex 4:12). The presence of God was evident in all that Moses spoke in the land of Egypt and at last he freed the people of Israel and led them to the promised land.
Therefore, today’s readings are an invitation for us to be a radical leader, who goes to the places where he is asked to go, where there is no security of any sort and preach the good news of Jesus. We might be bruised but wouldn’t be broken, because the one who sends us, Jesus Christ, is promising us to be with us always. Jesus was bruised and crucified but he rose from the dead and is living among us today. And it is not the crucified Jesus rather it is the risen God who is promising us to be with us.