Even Jesus Wasn’t Born Finished

Gn 41:55-57, 42:5-7a, 17-24a / Mt 10:1-7

For those of us who are reasonably conscientious and self-aware, the reality of our unfinishedness can sometimes be a heavy burden. It’s more than just our sins, which, like the poor, seem to be with us always. Sometimes it’s the lack of the wisdom that we feel we should have by now, or the absence of the clear road map that we think we surely should possess by now.

When those moments of frustration or impatience at the slow pace of our own unfolding do come, we can find comfort in looking at Jesus’ own growth and development into the great man who in the end was willing to die for us. That’s where He ended up, not where He started. As St. Paul said, ‘He was like us in all things but sin.’

Today’s gospel gives us clear evidence of that. In sending out His apostles on their own for the first time, Jesus gives them quite narrow instructions: Limit your sharing of the Good News to Jews only! It would take a good while before Jesus would come to a full understanding of His vocation, which is to all people — without exceptions.

So be patient. Let your unfinishedness keep you gratefully mindful of your absolute dependence on God, who will walk with you all the way to the end of this very long road to wholeness. He sees your every step with the eyes of a loving Parent. Trust that, and let it be enough!