Jesus sent them out two by two. This was not simply to provide the disciples with companionship. Being sent out in pairs helped to embody how the disciples of Jesus should live. By being together they could show that following Jesus means being in a relationship — “loving God and loving one’s neighbor.” Being together they could live out the admonition to “correct, rebuke, exhort, encourage and never lose patience.” By being together they could share the little bit that they had and watch God multiply it. Being together they could experience themselves as being forgiven and as forgiving (because inevitably whenever you have two people there is the giving and the taking of wounds.) Pope Paul VI in his exhortation sending out disciples reminded us of why there are no lone rangers as missionaries: “‘Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.’
JULY72019
By Church Staff
