By Amalraj A, CSC –
Readings: Gen 41: 55-57, 42:5-7, 17-24; Mt 10:1-7
Jesus sends his disciples on a mission with a condition not to go to Gentile or Samaritan town but to the lost sheep of Israel.
This makes me reflect on how Jesus could instruct his disciples in this manner (avoiding certain people). But the message that I receive is to look into the needs of myself before I reach the others.
There are similar incidents in which Jesus seems to be avoiding some kind of people (Canaanite woman Mt 15:21-28). He might have had his own reason in doing that, but what I understand is that I may have a lot of works to be done but at times I need to prioritize them and consider certain things more important than others.
The most importance that I need to give is to the Lord, in terms of spending time with him. It is precisely to acquire his grace, before ever I get into his mission. The long duration of formation that I go through before becoming a priest is to know him better and to acquire his grace.
As Jesus says in Mt 28:19 ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit’. It is my time to know him better and give him to the people.