Tales for our time: The Modern Commission

A rather satirical piece on how managerial practices can stifle spiritual growth.

Here begins the lesson!

After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come.

And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Carry no purse, no bag, and no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!'

Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you;  heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"

 And he said to them: “Do not tell me now, because it is not yet the time for your Annual Review Meeting, and here, for that appointed day, the scribes and the Pharisees have asked me to review your ministry among the towns, and look forward to the future.”

”The scribes and the Pharisees want to know ways in which you have carried out my commission among the towns and villages, and have produced a parchment form wherein you can mark your cross against those areas which you fulfilled.”

And they said unto him, “What?”

And he replied, “The Spirit blows where it will, but the scribes and the Pharisees must know where it blows, and make sure it blows in the right places.”