We all have various emotional reactions to being sent. What kind of emotional reaction do you have to being sent by Jesus? Do you feel Afraid, Lord I don’t want to go? Perhaps you feel hesitant. I don’t know how to do this. Send someone more qualified. But we are all sent by Jesus.
Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” How did the Father send Jesus?” Let’s look at Jesus’ baptism.
1. The Father affirms him as his beloved son. You and I are sent by Jesus because we are beloved sons and daughters of God.
2. Holy spirit descended upon Jesus, so too with you and I in our baptism.
3. Jesus was led by the Spirit, so too we need trust the HS and follow His lead and cooperate with him in our mission.
4. Then Jesus filled with the HS returned to Galilee, the Father does not send Jesus on his own, he fills him with the Holy Spirit. So too, Jesus fills us with the Holy Spirit as he sends us.
When did Jesus send us? At our baptism.
“In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples.” – Pope Francis
Have I accepted that mission? Have I intentionally said, Yes Jesus send me? The Holy Spirit it the active agent in leading us to mission and we cooperate with Him in a specific way.
At confirmation you and I receive the fullness of the spirit, but we are unlike Jesus who perfectly received the Holy Spirit. We, not so perfect need to be filled again and again with the Holy Spirit. Jesus doesn’t tire of giving his Holy Spirit.
We need to receive more of the Holy Spirit every day of our lives I want to be sent by Jesus, but I feel weak. Holy Spirit fill me and empower me as on the day of Pentecost.