Once again today we look at the sending of the disciples out onto the road to proclaim the presence of the Kingdom of God. This is not just the original twelve apostles but a larger number of disciples – 72. Once again, we see that Jesus sends his disciple out very early in their relationship with him. He does not wait for them to be certified experts or to have a well-developed plan. From this we see that being sent out on mission is a primordial part of being Christian. Taking time to announce one’s experience of God’s presence in their life is central to being Christian. Now a days the transmission of our faith experience from one generation to the next within the family is not important and much less going out to others in other places.
The simple message of the nearness of the Kingdom of God must be personal and accompanied by personal experience. Otherwise, we are just repeating pious platitudes that have little meaning or importance for people.
Job’s message faith of Job from the first reading today is really dramatic and impressive. In those days any type of sickness, tragedy, or personal disaster was seen as a punishment or curse from God for some sin. In the midst of all his troubles, Job’s closest friends counseled him by saying that he must have some personal sin as the root cause of all his calamities. They are like us in that they are centered on rules, punishments, regulations, distanced from God, and living a false sense of piety and self-righteousness. Today most people cannot understand that type of council. Yet Job knew in his heart and soul that he had no hidden sin worthy of punishment or curse.
Despite all his lived experience of tragedy, Job repeats his faith and constancy to his mistaken friends. He does not lose heart nor renounce his faith. He tells them that he continues convinced that God is with him and that he will see God face to face. After all he had lived through, he is still consumed with a longing to see God.
This profession of faith based on a life full of difficulties is the basis of one of the songs in our Catholic rite of burial. This testimony of faith is sung during the final farewell and blessing at the graveside.
Jesus sends us out on the road to proclaim publicly that faith in a very personal way integrating our life experience into our proclamation. We are called to announce our faith in a saving, merciful Father based on our personal experiences. How are you proclaiming the Kingdom of God to those around you?
Job: ‘But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him,
And from my flesh I shall see God;
my inmost being is consumed with longing.’
Jesus: ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’
Image: CANVA CJ Dunn 30 September 2026 AI Generated.