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FROM
THE SERVANT GENERAL
ON EVANGELIZATION AND MISSION
(Part 91)
CALLED TO MISSION
January 19, 2018
Today’s gospel: Mark 3:13-19
The Twelve were called to mission by Jesus. In the reading
today we see some principles of mission.
“He
went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and
they came to him.” (v.13). Jesus summons those whom
he wants. Those whom he calls are chosen. The initiative for
mission comes from Jesus. When we feel the urge to go do something
for God, that is Jesus already summoning us. So what we are
to do is God’s work.
“He
appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) that they might
be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to
have authority to drive out demons” (v.14-15). When
called, the first thing to do is to be with Jesus. We need
to know the Master. We need to take on his mind and heart.
We need to be trained by him. We need to be guided by his
words and sustained by his grace. We are to become fitting
instruments for his great work.
Then
Jesus is able to send us forth. We are not just to remain
in the comforting company of Jesus, but to go into the world
and do his mission. We are apostles, that is, those who are
sent. What are we to do on mission? We preach. We proclaim
Christ and the gospel. We evangelize.
When
we do go forth on mission and proclaim Christ, we automatically
engage the enemy, who has dominion over the world. He is a
powerful enemy. But he has already been defeated by Jesus,
with his head crushed at Calvary. Our task is to take territory
that he holds. Thus Jesus gives us his very own authority,
which enables us to drive out demons.
We
are called to be apostles, to do evangelization and mission
throughout the world. This is a task of utmost importance.
It is recovering the world for Christ, to whom rightly belongs
dominion. It is a great privilege to be called, and to be
depended on by Jesus himself to continue with his work.
Be
in awe and respond with zeal. And be careful, as the enemy
can still bring us down. One of the twelve was “Judas
Iscariot who betrayed him.” (v.19). Betray not your
calling.
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