On Jesus instructing his Apostles before their Mission

From  
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord 
by J. Nouet, S.J.


Seventeenth Week After Pentecost - Tuesday

1st Point. "Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matt., x. 5, 6.) The Apostles had not yet received the plenitude of the Divine Spirit. Jesus therefore proportions their labour to their strength, and sends them, that they may learn to use the weapons of the heavenly warfare before attacking the universal world.  He announces the gospel first to all to whom God had given the Law, and promised the Messiah; but, when they despised this inestimable favour, he afterwards transferred it to the Gentiles.  Learn to fear the judgments of God, lest he choose another in your place.

2nd Point. "And going preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt., x. 7.) "And going forth they preached that men should do penance." (Mark, vi. 12.) This Divine Master had inspired St. John the Baptist to choose the same for the instruction of the people, and finally adopted it himself.  For the kingdom of God consists in the reign of his love in our hearts, by which he renders us partakers in his beatitude.  Blush to behold the slaves of the world more ardent in the pursuit of their everlasting ruin than thou in seeking the kingdom of God.

3rd Point. The Son of God enforces the exercise of heroic virtue as an indispensable qualification for the sacred ministry.  This alone unites men to God, without whose aid all their labours are fruitless; further, a holy life makes the deepest impression on the minds of those with whom they treat.  Sanctity is truly a miracle, changing what is earthly and human into that which is heavenly and divine. This is the only miracle that God imperatively demands.  Crucify your passions, and let the love of Jesus Christ live in your hearts if you would draw souls into his service.  Do you say you are not called to so important a ministry? All can and ought to take part in it.