Hosea 14:2-10
Ps 51:3-4.8-9.12-13.14 and 17
Matthew 10: 16-23 Full Readings
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Mission
We continue to reflect on the Mission Discourse where Jesus commissions and instructs His disciples for mission. Jesus does not need to sugarcoat the reality of the mission he is sending hos disciples to and today he tells them to prepare for persecution and rejection as they go for mission. Nevertheless, he tells them to be wise and cunning like shrewd serpent but at the same time to harmless like the dove, and not to worry for the Spirit of the Lord will guide and give them what to say in such times.
Jesus points out the role of the Spirit today. Firstly, the Spirit of the Lord will be speaking through the disciples, giving them what to say when they are drawn in court. This shows that the mission we are undertaking is not our own mission, it is the mission of God and we are but mere instruments and ambassadors to Him. Understanding this makes us cope up with failures, disappointments and rejection we encounter in mission. This calls us also for the greatest humility (like doves) in mission for the achievements we realise because it is not our work; it is God working in us. This is possible when we allow the Holy Spirit guide and lead us in whatever we are doing and being committed to what we have been entrusted to.
The Holy Spirit speaking through us doesn't mean we don't prepare ourselves through study and prayer so as to discern the Spirit of God within us and also become relevant both to our audience and the world at large. In today's world where everyone is learned and can access information on the fingertips, it's useless when we don't have effective preparation by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise we shall be rejected as mission agents because we are not speaking to people's hearts.
The Spirit will also guide us and give us courage as we undergo persecution. Jesus knows that there is persecution in the mission as He says I am sending you as sheep in wolves. If we don't have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, the wolves will indeed devour us (however, we also need to be aware not to become wolves ourselves). In today's world where we see many persecutions of Christians, it's right and fitting to ponder on the words of Jesus today. We cannot expect a bed of roses in this mission, Christianity is not just eating and drinking and then life goes on, it is being led by the Spirit to face the daily challenges and change the society even if it is giving our lives.
The reward of persecution. “Whoever endures to the end will be saved.” This doesn't mean we are meant to suffer nor should we push ourselves to suffering, Jesus means that we should endure life's trials and challenges especially which we face while doing his mission, and amongst these remain faithful to him for he will never leave us alone (Mt 28:19-20). At the end brethren, we have the reward of eternal life full of happiness and joy. We are therefore invited to keep working for this life and when we have done our part, we shall rejoice that we have finished the race and have kept the faith.
Reflect today on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life and mission. Do you allow yourself to be guided and led by the Holy Spirit? How have you been relying on the Spirit of God to pass through life challenges especially when undertaking the mission of God? Pray that the Lord will keep guiding us and forgive us where we go wrong when carrying out His mission as He forgave and promised to bring prosperity to Israelites after sinning and forgetting Him; seen in the first Reading.
Let us Pray.
Lord, sometimes I feel that the world is growing hostile to your word. Inflame me with your Holy Spirit so that through me all hearts may be melted and believe in you. Help me always to withstand life difficulties relying on your Grace alone. Amen.
Be blessed
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