Have you ever been sent on an errand? You know, when your parents or teacher asks you to bring something to someone, or to go next door and ask your neighbor if you can borrow an egg.

How did it feel to be given a job to do? Did it feel good to be able to help? I remember the first time my mom asked me to go to the little store at the end of our street and buy some bread. I felt very grown up and responsible. 

In today’s Gospel we heard how Jesus feels sorry for the people he met in Israel. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. So, Jesus called his apostles together and gave them an errand to do. An apostle is someone Jesus picked to do a special job. The errand he gave the apostles was to go out and tell people that heaven is real and that it is very close to them. He told them to “Go and announce that the kingdom of heaven will soon be here. Heal the sick, raise the dead to life, heal people who have leprosy, and force out demons. You received without paying, now give without being paid.” 

Jesus sent the disciples out to proclaim the kingdom of God. He gave them the power to heal people who are sick and suffering so that they could experience God’s healing love and mercy. Jesus wants all people to be joyful and to know that we are loved by God. Jesus sent the apostles on an errand so that more and more people could hear that message. He told them to show God’s love by visiting people who were sick and make them better. 

What would you feel like if Jesus gave you an errand like that to do? Pretty overwhelmed I would bet. You might think that you can’t do all those things by yourself, and you would be right! Maybe the apostles felt the same way. But because the apostles were doing these errands to show the people the love of Jesus, Jesus gave them the power and authority to do all these things. The apostles were helping Jesus complete the work God gave them, the work of showing God’s love to the people. 

The apostles were grown-ups, but you don’t have to wait to get older to help Jesus show the love of God. Can you think of some ways you can help show God’s love right now? I’ll bet you can think of ways to show God’s love over summer vacation. Maybe you can help someone who is feeling bad to feel better. At home, you can help show God’s love to your parents and brothers and sisters. 

All of us, young and old, by our identity as Christians, are sent by Jesus to bring the love of God to the tired, the lost, and the despairing. Don’t wait for just the right time to go. And as you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’.