"Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness." (Matthew 10: 1).
The Twelve is now formally constituted into a body to speak and act as Jesus. Cast out evil spirits and cure every disease and illness. Then Jesus mandated the definitive mission of the Twelve and the Church they would oversee:
Make the proclamation everywhere:
"THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND." (Matthew 10: 7).
This is our mission. To seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33).
But what is the Kingdom of God?
Pope Francis has something important to say about the Kingdom of God and our personal involvement in its realization. In his recent Apostolic Exhortation, "Rejoice and Be Glad."
"Just as you cannot understand Christ apart from the kingdom he came to bring, so too your personal mission is inseparable from the building of that kingdom: “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Your identification with Christ and his will involves a commitment to build with him that kingdom of love, justice and universal peace. Christ himself wants to experience this with you, in all the efforts and sacrifices that it entails, but also in all the joy and enrichment it brings. You cannot grow in holiness without committing yourself, body and soul, to giving your best to this endeavor. (Gaudate et Exsultate: REJOICE & BE GLAD).
To understand Jesus, you must understand the Kingdom which is His life's work. To be a Christian, you must seek first the kingdom of God and live as Jesus lived.
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