Jesus gave the Twelve authority and instructions, and then they went out and preached, drove out demons, anointed and cured. I had to stop and consider what I have been doing lately as a follower of Jesus. And then I thought, “Follower?” Is that all I am? No, it’s not. I am a believer who was baptized prophet, priest, and king, who can do the same as the Twelve did over 2,000 years ago.
How am I doing with that call? You see, Jesus not only calls us but He asks us to do something. He wants us to follow him and then pick up our cross. He gives us instructions and authority to work in His name. It is not a quid pro quo relationship. Jesus saves us. Our response does not give us more salvation, but rather, it is our gratitude. It is a free response, an upward gaze that says, “Thank You, Jesus, now how can I help?” It is faith.
Are we living out and giving out what Jesus has given us? Imagine if the Twelve did not go out into the world. When the apostles go out, they pass on what has been given to them by Jesus. Were these extraordinary instructions and authority? Yes. And no. They are extraordinary in that they are from the Son of God. But not so extraordinary that they are reserved only for those twelve men.
If we profess to be a follower and a believer, there should be a need, a compulsion, a desire inside of us to bring Jesus to others, to show others that Jesus’ authority and instructions impact my life in what I do and how I treat others. The need is not to show off or act holier than thou, we do not win others to Christ that way. The need is, as Mother Theresa said, “to do small things with great love.”
For many years, I thought I needed to do big, important things. I now realize that small things are often the most important, especially when done with love. The hidden, unseen works of love done for others may not always be recognized or appreciated. That is part of what we offer to God in thanksgiving.
What I hear in this Gospel is the command to do as Jesus says. He does not call each of us to the same task or role, but each of us has a purpose with a particular mission. Your mission may change over time, (I know mine has) but if we begin with Jesus, we will be guided well and given what we need to move forward. Ask Jesus what your mission is right now. And once you know it, do it.
Jesús dio a los Doce autoridad e instrucciones, y luego salieron y predicaron, expulsaron demonios, ungieron y sanaron. Tuve que detenerme a considerar lo que he estado haciendo últimamente como seguidora de Jesús. Y luego pensé: “¿Seguidora?” ¿Eso es todo lo que soy? No, no lo es. Soy una creyente que fue bautizada como profeta, sacerdote y rey, que puede hacer lo mismo que hicieron los Doce hace más de 2.000 años.
¿Cómo me va con esa llamada? Es que, Jesús no sólo nos llama sino que nos pide que hagamos algo. Quiere que lo sigamos y luego carguemos nuestra cruz. Nos da instrucciones y autoridad para trabajar en Su nombre. No es una relación de toma y daca. Jesús nos salva. Nuestra respuesta no nos da más salvación, sino que es nuestro agradecimiento. Es una respuesta libre, una mirada hacia arriba que dice: “Gracias Jesús, ¿ahora en qué te puedo ayudar?”. Es la fe.
¿Estamos viviendo y dando lo que Jesús nos ha dado? Imagínate si los Doce no salieran al mundo. Cuando los apóstoles salen, transmiten lo que Jesús les ha dado. ¿Fueron estas instrucciones y autoridad extraordinarias? Sí. Y no. Son extraordinarios porque provienen del Hijo de Dios. Pero no tan extraordinarios como para que estén reservados sólo para esos doce hombres.
Si profesamos ser seguidores y creyentes, debería haber una necesidad, una compulsión, un deseo dentro de nosotros de llevar a Jesús a los demás, de mostrarles a los demás que la autoridad y las instrucciones de Jesús impactan mi vida en lo que hago y en cómo trato a los demás. La necesidad no es presumir o actuar más santo que los demás. No ganamos a otros para Cristo de esa manera. La necesidad es, como decía la Madre Teresa, “hacer las pequeñas cosas con gran amor”.
Durante muchos años pensé que necesitaba hacer cosas grandes e importantes. Ahora me doy cuenta de que las cosas pequeñas suelen ser las más importantes, especialmente cuando se hacen con amor. Es posible que las obras de amor ocultas e invisibles realizadas por los demás no siempre sean reconocidas o apreciadas. Eso es parte de lo que ofrecemos a Dios en acción de gracias.
Lo que escucho en este Evangelio es el mandamiento de hacer lo que dice Jesús. Él no nos llama a cada uno de nosotros a la misma tarea o rol, pero cada uno de nosotros tiene un propósito con una misión particular. Tu misión puede cambiar con el tiempo (sé que la mía sí), pero si comenzamos con Jesús, seremos bien guiados y se nos dará lo que necesitamos para seguir adelante. Pregúntale a Jesús cuál es tu misión en este momento. Y una vez que lo sepas, hazlo.
Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. The LiveNotLukewarm.com online community is a place to inform, engage and inspire your Catholic faith. Her weekly Not Lukewarm Podcast gives you tips and tools to live out your faith in your daily life.
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Emily Jaminet is a Catholic author, speaker, radio personality, wife, and mother of seven children. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mental health and human services from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is the co-founder of 
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