Luke 9:1-6
Jesus gives his first disciples the power and authority to cast out evil spirits, to heal the sick and to proclaim the good news of God's love. Quite remarkably, Jesus has associated power and authority with service and humility. For Christians, power has to be used to heal and give life, not to destroy and harm. This would serve as a good reminder for many of us who use power in an abusive and self-serving manner.
Furthermore, Jesus admonishes his evangelizers to bring little or nothing on their journey. Material things, though helpful, may cause a lot of troubles in their preaching ministry. The disciples need to free themselves from worldly attachments and put their trust primarily in the kindness and generosity of God. This warning remains relevant for us today because often our strong desire for material things makes us neglect our time for God, family and neighbors.
The challenge for us now is to possess the virtues of simplicity and deep trust in God's providence. Let us be grateful to God for the many gifts and blessings we received such as things, knowledge and talents. Let us learn to use them not only for our personal benefits but more so for the good of others.
