House is the Starting Point of our Mission

Gospel Thoughts*

*Ordinary Season : 14th Week - Wednesday*

*House is the Starting Point of our Mission*

*GOSPEL -  Mt 10:1-7*

*FIRST READING - Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12*

*1) Jesus' Instructions to His disciples about where to go*

The Gospel of the day speaks about Jesus instructing His disciples and sending them for a mission

He first tells them where they should not go

These are the places where they should not go  : Pagan territory and the Samaritan town

*Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town*

Secondly Jesus tells them where to go *Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.*

*2) The Mission and the House*

In the context of sending His disciples to the mission Jesus makes a mention of the House 

It the House of Israel where they should go for mission 

In the house of Israel, they should concentrate on  the Lost Sheep

So this house becomes a very important reference in the context of Mission 

*3) How to understand the House?*

Where a family lives there the house exists

House of Israel is a bigger family, but ultimately it is a family

So Jesus sends His disciples first to the House and then to other places 

*4) The need of putting the House in order*

The command of Jesus to His disciples clearly tells us that first one should concentrate on the House 

Only when the house is in order one can do greater mission 

If the house is not in order the mission suffers 

So there is a great need to repair the house first than anything else 

*5) The Application of the House to different areas*

First of all this house refers to *my own life.* Jesus sends us to check our own life and to repair the house of our self 

Secondly the House refers to my own *Family* One needs to work hard to repair one's family 

Thirdly the Extended family, this includes the neighbourhood, ward, parish and the local community

Finally the House refers to the house of Entire Christian Family 

*6) How is my House?*

What are the things which I have lost in my House? 

Peace of Mind

True vigour for the Lord

Spirit of Prayer 

Sense of unity 

Need of Forgiveness

Spirit of Humility

Sense of Sharing

The value of Sacrifice

It is better to check whether my personal house and the family have lost these values? 

The mission which  begins from home, spreads all over the world 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*