“As you go, make this proclamation: The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

We can hear the urgency in Jesus’ tone, which comes from his tender heart. He was busily teaching, proclaiming, and curing – and the sick in body and soul just kept coming. It was time to send out some laborers.

The time was “now” in Jesus’ time, and the time is now still. We are the laborers. Just as Jesus sent the Twelve out to cure, raise, cleanse, and drive out, he also sends us. This might sound a bit far-fetched or dramatic, but remember St. Teresa of Avila’s words: “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks with compassion on this world.”

Can we look at our communities, families, and churches and see people who need healing in body and soul? Do we know people who are haunted by past mistakes? Have we overlooked people who are outcast?  Let our hearts be moved with pity for them as was Christ’s. And then go out to meet them.

Try this: Pray for the grace to know where you can be of assistance in your parish ministries that reach out to the hurting in your community. Specifically, what are your gifts that you could use to help?

Jesus, grant that we may be your body, your hands, your feet, and your eyes, and bring the good news of the Gospel to hurting people, especially during Advent.