Jesus Sends the Apostles Out 2×2
Today’s Gospel was the Luke version of the sending of the disciples or apostles into the world in pairs of two (Luke 10.)
The passage is the source of our mission’s name and so we take it seriously.
In the Luke version, there are 70 or 72. A discrepancy in early manuscripts leaves us wondering today. The Mark (Mark 6) version has no numbers. It has more of a sense of an ongoing mission. Jesus “began to send them out two by two.”
A little research reveals that there has been some attempt to name the original 70 or 72. (Note: They aren’t all male!). Heading the list is James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus, and eventually the bishop of Jerusalem. He is also the author of the book of James.
The book of James is noted for admonishing Christians to get off their duffs and do something. It seems his early experience as one of the original missionaries left a lasting impression.
The Book of James almost missed making it into the approved Bible. The idea that Christians need to roll up their sleeves and do more than pray rubs some theologians the wrong way.
Yet it makes perfect sense. The Scriptures are clear that Jesus expects his followers to represent him in the world in more than theory.
Why do we still fight the impulse to respond to God’s love, freely given, with selfless action?
- There is the chance that the work will be difficult. Jesus promises this.
- There is a chance the work will go unappreciated. Today’s Gospel lesson prepares us for that.
- There is a chance our work will be unpopular. Christians like being liked.
- There is a chance that we will fail—at least at first. Our definition of success is narrow indeed if all we measure is words and music.
Without the book of James and Christ’s asking us to do this missionary work, the Church would mean very little. Maybe there’s something to be learned in that. When Christians go to work, there is something to talk about—a reason to share and widen our circles. Without work, it’s all talk. Without work, the talk gets stale fast.