Matthew 9:35- 10:1, 6-8
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Watch, Do, Teach
Matthew’s Gospel repeatedly emphasizes the themes of Jesus’s living mission: teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, and healing. This particular passage reminded me of the learning method popularized in medical schools: “Watch one, do one, teach one.”
In this philosophy, learning isn’t passive. Medical students don’t stop at “watching one” by listening to lectures and taking notes; they’re then involved in medical procedures. “Do one” and “teach one” require comprehension, synthesis and action.
Similarly, when Jesus goes out to the towns and villages to teach and preach, and sees the enormous crowds, he passes on his mission to the disciples. They’ve already “watched one” in witnessing his ministry; now they not only are given the authority but the responsibility to “do one” by healing and curing, and to “teach one” by proclaiming the word of God.
Am I taking on the mantle of ministry by actively caring for others and showing mercy? How am I using the gifts that I’ve received by passing them on?
—Laura Asplund is the Business Manager at Queen of All Saints School, the Roman Catholic elementary school of Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., where she was blessed to know Fr. Albert Bischoff, SJ, who ministered to the Catholic students on campus and called everyone “saint.”
Prayer
Lord, let your words not simply wash over me but move me to action. Help me to see with compassionate eyes, aid with healing hands, and teach with the truth of your salvation.
—Laura Asplund
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