Advent is a time when we prepare ourselves to celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world, offering the Good News of freedom and salvation for everyone. But Jesus recognized that as one person, he couldn't deliver his message to everyone in the world, so he called his Apostles to help spread the Good News to the "ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). So, Jesus commissioning his disciples and sending them into the surrounding villages to spread the Good News represents Jesus' coming in a real way to the people of his time. Had it not been for the disciples, most people would have known of Jesus only through vague rumors of shepherds' visions and of a powerful preacher somewhere in Galilee, and he would have had only a minimal impact on their lives.
I think it's important to note that the disciples spent their time "bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere." They didn't just preach, they made it clear that something new was happening in the world, by offering healing and hope to people at the bottom of society. Today, we as Christians work to continue this mission both individually and as members of the Church as we "love Jesus by serving others." The theme of the first week of advent is "hope," and what better way to offer hope to others than through our many ministries here at Epiphany. In particular, Advent is the time for our Adopt-a-Family ministry, which enables many less fortunate families, and in particular their children, to have hope that Advent and Christmas will make a difference in their lives. We are called, as the disciples were, to bring hope and healing in whatever way we can to others!
