25 September, Wednesday — Management 101:30-33 AD

Wednesday of Week 25 in Ordinary Time

Pro 30:5-9
Lk 9:1-6

So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.

Today’s Gospel is, in fact, the beginning of the ‘third tour of Galilee’ by Jesus.

On the first tour, He was accompanied just by the four fishermen he had called — Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. On the second, all the Twelve were with Jesus. On this, the third, Jesus was alone after sending out the Twelve on their own mission.

Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus sending his chosen Twelve on their mission. It is the first time they are sent out in pairs, without Him being with them. The instructions are simple – do exactly as Jesus does. Jesus empowers them over evil forces and sicknesses. Instructing them to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom along the way.

A few rules:

• They are to travel in total freedom and so, are not to bring anything with them which would make traveling more difficult;
• It is understood that the people will support them in return for the services they render. It is expected that hospitality will be extended to them in the traditional way of the Middle East. They are not to be choosy about where/how they are received.
• In places where they and their message and their services are not welcome, they are to dust their feet when they leave — a symbolic act which the Pharisees practiced when they left an ‘unclean’ Gentile area.

I see this as really the beginning of the church as we now know it. But I see how Jesus never wanted to throw even his chosen Twelve to figure things out for themselves.

1. There was ‘Management Training’ in the first tour, ‘Employee Orientation’ in the second tour. Finally now the ‘Salesmen’ are dispatched to do what they need to do!!
2. The ‘Rule Book’ was drawn up and distributed. With some Rules of Engagement set in place

Jesus was as organized, if not more organized, as any corporate we know of. As I was reflecting on this Gospel reading, I couldn’t help but marvel in Jesus’ strategic planning and execution. Jesus had the makings of a real leader, as he entrusted his Twelve after having ‘trained’ the key few, ‘orientated’ the rest and finally empowered them to do as He had instructed and trained them to do.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Gerard Francis)

Prayer: We pray for those who are empowered, to look after and manage people. In offices, societies and religious organisations; that they realize the importance of teaching, guiding and empowering their charges.  

Thanksgiving: We give thanks for the gift of wise leaders amongst us. Keep blessing them, allowing them to be good examples to future leaders that they groom.