Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The four versions of the Gospels relate that Jesus was continuously serving, never tired, always surrounded by people in some kind of need. Even when He would search for a quiet place to rest with his disciples, people would find it out and press them to serve. Today's Gospel passage shows how Jesus deals with those in need. His words are full of wisdom and his willingness to serve attracted and fascinated them.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus sends the disciples two by two, with the task to proclaim conversion. For the Kingdom of God requires conversion, metanoia, radical change of course, of mentality, so that our entire life would be conformed with God.

They are to stay in the same house. To stay is a verb very dear to Jesus especially in John's Gospel version. To stay often means to be fully present to the reality in which He is brought.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus was a victim of a lot of prejudice by his countrymen. His good news of the Kingdom was met with suspicion and questioning. This attitude has its origin in their knowledge of Jesus' origin. They knew his town, his family, his profession. Coming from humble beginnings was a stumbling block for them to believe and trust in his teachings. He taught them as someone who had authority. The miracles which accompanied his teaching also brought prejudice and suspicion. His challenging attitude towards them and the signs shocked them and they rejected him.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The powerful works of Jesus always implied faith. They are not magic, far from peoples’ freedom (free will) and their relationship with God. Rather they were always a manifestation of the Father’s love through Jesus’ actions.

In the origin of this lady’s healing, victimized by hemorrhages, there was faith, strong faith, moving faith. “Daughter your faith saved you”. Her faith moves power out of Jesus. Like Mary’s faith at the wedding in Cana.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

Jesus’ attitude in the midst of this storm is the metaphor for the attitude of every disciple when harassed by tribulations and persecutions.

Jesus’ confidence and serenity, while the boat was thrown all over, are impressive. His attitude is based on His total trust on the Father, in whose hands is His life. Nothing has the power to move Him out of this state of total trust and abandonment.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The rural area of the Holy Land gave Jesus many opportunities and images for His teaching. The seed thrown on the earth is a great metaphor of the Kingdom working in the world. On one side, like the seed, the Kingdom has a dynamism free from human care. It grows and nobody knows how, producing fruit beyond human control. On the other side, as the mustard seed, the Kingdom grows and expands. Its nothingness become grandeur. What is hidden manifests itself slowly.

Dear Fellow disciples, peace.

The gospel narrative shows the family relationships in Jesus’ mind. His idea of family is to be intended in the context of the Kingdom.

For Him, family is not the close ones who want to stop Him thinking that He is out of His mind, but rather those who do the will of the Father. Every disciple who strives to do the will of the Father, who walks in holiness, and works in the mission of making other disciples is His mother, brothers, sisters.

Dear Fellow Disciples, peace.

The supper between Jesus and the disciples, right before His passion and death on the cross, had a very special meaning. The words “take this…it is my body” certainly surprised the disciples quite a bit. They needed time to fully understand it.