Last week's gospel was about Jesus' instructions to his disciples. This week the reading continues with the attitude required of any disciple. This mission takes 100% commitment even ahead of family and one's own life: "... whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Mtt 10: 38) To this end the present challenge from Pope Francis for each of us to be missionary disciples calls for us to make evangelization the priority in our parishes and in our personal lives. Sharing the joy of the Gospel must be uppermost in our minds ahead of sport, leisure, career or other forms of activity. Such an attitude will transform the Church away from a cultural institution to a revitalized mission of Christ to the world. The second half of today's gospel turns to those who are the objects of the mission. We must be aware that the Holy Spirit is already at work on these people to prepare them to receive the Gospel. This gives us confidence to work with the Holy Spirit and to be guided by him as we go about our mission in the world. We are there not to condemn the world but to bring Christ to it so that it can be claimed back for the God by whom it was made: "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Eph 6: 12-13)
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