Two possible reactions to the Preaching of the Gospel

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 28th Week : Wednesday*

*Feast of St Luke the Evangelist*

*Gospel : Lk 10:1–9*

*First Reading : 2 Tm 4:10-17b*

*Two possible reactions to the Preaching of the Gospel*

*1) The Mission of the Lord*

The Gospel of the day speaks about the mission of the Lord 

The Lord, sends two by two His disciples to various places where He wanted to go 

So the Disciples become the representatives Jesus, who were sent by Jesus for the Mission of the Lord 

*2) Two types of possible response*

When Jesus sends His disciples for the mission, he also warns about the possible response of the people 

Jesus says, that there will be a section of People who will receive you, welcome you, listen to you and they will support you 

But there will be also a group who will oppose your preaching, who will challenge the mission, who is disturb the mission and who will hinder you from doing your mission. 

So the disciples should be prepared for both these response so that they are able to face any situations

*3) Jesus also faced this situation*

Jesus is the Son of God, went on doing Good, to establish the Kingdom of God 

Many people accepted Him, followed him, and listened to His reaching which helped them to change their lives

But there were also a sizable population who challenged, rejected and questioned the mission of Jesus 

Finally Jesus had to die in the Cross for building the Kingdom of God, here on earth

*4) All Holy People Encountered this situation*

All those who followed the path of Jesus faced similar kind of situation in their mission 

Some accepted their teaching others rejected them 

But still they went in doing good and the mission of preaching the Gospel 

*5) The Present Day Situation*

Today the situation is not better. With all our intellectual progress, the dependency on God is decreasing

There are many people who accept Jesus and try to follow his value system 

But on the other side there is also a strong opposition for the preaching of the Gospel in the present day context

Every mission work is seen from the eyes of conversion and given a wrong message to the people 

As a result there is a lot of opposition and  challenges for preaching the Gospel

*6) My response and reaction to the mission of the Lord* 

I am also a part of the two by two group, which were sent by the Lord

So what is my experience? The positive aspects of my missionary work and the challenges of my mission

How do I face the various challenges in my missionary work? Do I give up my mission, because there are challenges and opposition? 

What is the beautiful side of my mission work for the Lovd?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*