Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
(Proverbs 30:5-9; Luke 9:1-6)
In recent years at least some Jesuit novices have been given
a small sum of money and told to report to a Jesuit house in a faraway
place. Evidently, they are expected to buy
a bus ticket and trust in Providence for their well-being. The mission sounds like the one of the
apostles in today’s gospel.
Jesus sends his apostles out with nothing in their pockets
“just in case.” Rather, they are to
depend completely on God working mostly through the townspeople they
encounter. Of course, they will offer to
the people release from demons, cures of diseases, and the good news of the
kingdom. But these blessings are not a quid pro quo. Rather, they represent God’s favor upon all
who are open to His grace. Indeed, Jesus
indicates that some villagers will likely shut their doors in his apostles’
faces.
The dependency of the apostles upon Providence should perk
up our consciences like a bugle call.
Today in our society most people, including church workers, strive to
avert risks. The credit card has long
served as a way never to be caught without money. With cellular telephones in emergencies help
is only a few pushed buttons away. Other
resources like insurance policies protect against catastrophes. Although these privileges are defended as
prudential, they leave us with the disturbing question: What does it mean today
to trust in God’s Providence if we insulate ourselves against all risks?
