In today’s Gospel Jesus sends out the Twelve to expand his mission of healing and repentance. Jesus calls the Twelve and sends (apostello) them out on mission. The vocation or “calling” of these Twelve is to be apostles (apostolos). An apostle is one who is sent out to continue the ministry of Jesus and his call to repentance. Like an ambassador, an apostle represents the one who sent him. Paul the apostle, though not one of the Twelves, also calls himself an ambassador:
“So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
After they have been instructed, empowered, and commissioned by Jesus the Twelve, “went off and preached repentance…drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.” They repeated the message of repentance that Jesus preached from the beginning:
“After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: ‘This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” (Mark 1:14-15).
The word repentance means first “to turn.” Sometimes it means “to turn from sin” but it also means “to turn to God.” Here in Jesus’ words and in the preaching of the apostles, repentance means “to turn to God.” Jesus’ inaugural message is that the Kingdom of God is at hand. God is present. Jesus’ invitation to repentance means first to turn to God who is “at hand” or right in our midst. God is particularly “at hand” in the teaching, the healing, and the welcoming actions of Jesus. Like the Twelve, our vocation or call is to continue this healing ministry of Jesus. Like Paul we are called to be ambassadors of Christ. God wants to work through us to bring about reconciliation and peace. Paul also preaches a message of repentance, of turning to God: “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Let us repent today and turn once again to God who is waiting for us with open arms.
Image: “Twelve Apostles” by Sergey Serous is licensed under CC BY 3.0.