The Mission of the Apostles

by FLL Editorial Team
2013-09-25


耶穌召集了那十二人來,賜給他們制伏一切魔鬼,並治療疾病的能力和權柄,派遣他們去宣講天主的國,並治好病人,向他們說:「你們在路上什麼也不要帶:也不要帶棍杖,也不要帶口袋,也不要帶食物,也不要帶銀錢,也不要帶兩件內衣。你們無論進了那一家,就住在那裏,直到從那裏離去。人若不接待你們,你們要離開那城,拂去你們腳上的塵土,作為反對他們的證據。」他們就出發,週遊各鄉村,宣傳喜訊,到處治病。
路加福音 9:1-6

The-Great-Commission1在今天的福音中,耶穌派遣十二宗徒去宣講天國的福音。這是祂第一次派他們出外,而自己不在他們身邊。祂賜給他們能力和權柄,使他們能治癒病人和驅逐魔鬼。

宗徒們有自由去任何地方,因此耶穌叫他們什麼也不帶,不帶棍杖、口袋、食物、銀錢,連替換的衣服也不帶。理由是別人應該會按他們的服務而給予支持。

宗徒們不能揀選到哪一家居住,而要住在第一家接待他們的地方,直到從那裏離去為止。為那些不接受宗徒們的人,耶穌叫他們拂去腳上的塵土,這是法利塞人離開一個「不潔」的外邦人地方時所做的事。耶穌吩咐宗徒這樣做是代表人不單拒絕了宗徒的訊息和治癒,也拒絕了天主。

宗徒們就是這樣被派遣到各處宣傳福音。每位基督徒其實都接受同樣的派遣。我們被召以言語和生活方式去宣講福音,使人從負面的影響得到釋放和治癒。我們也被召去過簡單的生活,只擁有必需的物品。耶穌的訊息也是為我們著重消費的社會而說的。


Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Luke 9:1-6

In today's Gospel, Jesus is sending His apostles on their mission. It is the first time He has sent them out on their own without being with them. They are given power over evil forces and to heal sicknesses. They are also to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.

They are to travel in total freedom, as a result, Jesus asked them not to bring walking staff, purse, food, money, nor even a change of clothing. It is understood that the people will support them in return for the services they render.

They are not to be choosy about where they are received; they are to stay in the first house that accepts them. And, in places where their message and their services are not welcome, they will shake the dust off their feet. This was a symbolic act which the Pharisees practised when they left an “unclean” Gentile area. In this case, the act signifies that people are not just rejecting the disciples but God himself.

And so they went out, from town to town, proclaiming the Good News and restoring people to wholeness wherever they went. The same mission is entrusted to every Christian. We are called to proclaim the Gospel by word and lifestyle. We are called to help liberate people from the negative forces. We are called to live lives of simplicity, using only those things which we need for life and work. The message of Jesus is a message our consumer world needs to hear and see.

Reference:
Commentary on Luke 9:1-6

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