Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1-23
35 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. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
1 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. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
16 “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
" Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves"
Looking at the crowd and considering their situations, Jesus is moved. With His loving care, He wants to respond to their respective needs and give them a priority in His ministry. He asks His faithful to pray to the Master of the Harvest to send workers who will look after the people.
This is why, with an optimistic insight, Jesus commissions the disciples, those He has chosen first and all of us today, to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom as He was doing (v. 35). They have to remember always that He sends them, "I am sending you" (v. 16).
Jesus warns them that they will be surrounded by challenges, obstacles and dangers - like sheep at risk before fierce wolves. We would expect Jesus to protect His disciples by telling them to avoid dangerous animals, but He sends them "like sheep into the midst of wolves" (v. 16). They have to not only protect themselves, but even more to save others. This is why they need to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves!" (v. 16).
The serpent is described in Genesis as having the power of persuasion. He convinces Eve and Adam to disobey God's will. He uses his wisdom, which is given by God, to sow evil and sin.
Doves are known as non-threatening birds, gentle and harmless. They first appear in Scriptures as messengers sent by Noah to survey the land after the flood. The second time, the dove returns with an olive branch as a sign of stability and reassurance. It's seen as a symbol of perpetual peace that reigns over the earth producing safety and prosperity.
The disciples are expected to combine both qualities, the wisdom of the serpent and the gentle skills of the dove. They are to act with wisdom to proclaim the Good News and persuade people with the message that they are entrusted with. "God...wants all people to be be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" 1 Timothy 2:4.
To please God, wisdom must be used for both common and individual good, never to hurt or mislead people away from good, which is away from God. Wisdom should be practiced with innocence, integrity and kindness, never trying to impose faith but to be a witness for it. Spiritual Wisdom empowers the faithful to distinguish between good and pseudo-good.
This is the Church that Jesus established through His disciples using wisdom and innocence. In the service of all humans, they share the Good News with clear knowledge, joined heartily to love as shining witnesses. "My goal is that they may encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ" Colossians 2:2.
How do we use our skills, our gifts, our wisdom, and what for?
Do we aim to build up our own personality or work for the good of our neighbor and our environment?
Are we careful of how our decisions and acts may hurt others?
Today's gospel confirms that God grants us many kinds of skills and power. At the same time, He wants us to use them for good and grace, never for evil or sin. "I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." This is what the Lord Jesus is saying to us today!
Let us pray that the Master of the Harvest will send qualified workers to His field, new workers with the spirit and the zeal of the old ones that the Church knew.
Happy are those who understand it, love it and live it.