Sunday, July 12, 2015

Pairs

"Jesus summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two." 

"If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."  Ecc 4:10

Pairs.

They show up quite a bit in the Bible.  

In today's reading, Jesus sends the apostles out in pairs.  He knows that they will be witnesses together and strengthen each other.   In Mt 8:10, Jesus tells us that he will be there where two come together, and in 10:2, Matthew even lists the apostles in pairs.  Important events such as preparing the Upper Room, and securing the donkey for Palm Sunday also involved pairs.   

What I find interesting, is that today, we seemed to have moved to either side of that number.  At one end, we have less intimate, large gatherings that number in the hundreds or thousands.  At the other end, we have many people doing things (including praying) by themselves, without the support of another.  Both, of course, have their places.  But I can't help but wonder if we are missing some wonderful opportunities by not working in twos more often.  

God Bless you.
 
 

2 comments:

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Very good point Michael. Very good. I often wonder how many marriages work in pairs. By this I mean both husband and wife praying together every day, or before meals. If they start like that as a routine, chances are they will continue praying when they have children. And their children will also pray in pairs when they marry.

Just had a thought. Forgive me for mentioning it here. Whenever two Catholics get together in pairs they have a collection !!!

Sorry Michael. Don't despair with me.

God bless.

Michael said...

Victor, you raise an excellent point that I wish more families took note of. Couples that pray together have a stronger bond with each other and God. And those that pray with - and set an example for - their children create a potential lifelong habit. As for your collection joke, I found that quote funny! I will have to pass that onto my pastor, as he loves using jokes like that.

Colleen, thank you for your comment, and I agree. Jesus was a smart One!

God Bless you both!