He Called

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." 6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. Luke 9:1-6

Reflection: “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal.” (vs. 1&2)

The church asserts that Bishops and priests as carrying that authority and power and are the ones delegated with the authority of the Apostles.

If such is the case then among these, especially the bishops, who the church claims to have the fullness of the Holy Spirit, should be seen to exercise such power and authority, not over those who exercise this ministry, but over these unclean spirits and conduct the ministry of healing and.deliverance.

 

Why do we not see this happening? Is it because they don’t carry that power and authority by virtue of their ordination?

Though they carry this power and authority, it is rather out of convenience and an absence of that faith in God's power, sometimes on account of depraved indulgence, that it is not exercised.

It is like any layman who has experienced God’s healing and yet may not acknowledge God’s power and healing nor testify to it.

This in no way justifies this contribution to social sin by the failure of the hierarchy to exercise their office as delegates of the Apostles, with power and authority.

Similarly, the aberration has reached such a level that the teaching office is given precedence over the preaching office which the Apostles were mandated with. Likewise, local sentiments and interpretations are used as pressure tactic to subvert the message of the Gospel. 

The whole church needs to pray for a correction, as the Synod of Bishops, meet in Rome from the 2-7 of October, 2012 and not be casual enough to attribute every omission to the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, show you mercy to your people and raise in every corner of the world Apostles who will cater to people waiting to hear the saving message of the Gospel and find healing for their soul.

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