Hebrews 12:18-19.21-24;
Psalm 48:2-3ab.3cd-4.9-10-11;
Mark 6:7- 13 Full Readings
Saint Joseph of LeonissaGod Provides in Mission
Today's Gospel presents to us the sending of disciples two by two, to proclaim the Kingdom of God which is at hand and the instructions they are to follow. In today's Gospel Jesus is instructing His disciples on how they are to carry out their mission. First of all, they are to proclaim the Kingdom of God by performing miracles, casting away evil spirits. Secondly they are to carry nothing for their journey for the worker deserves his or her pay, the people they are proclaiming too will take care of them.
Why did Jesus tell His Apostles to carry nothing for their Journey? Jesus wanted them only to rely and learn what it means to rely on God's Divine Providence. If we are doing the work of God with Integrity, love and service and with complete commitment, God will surely not leave us without providing for us. God provides in many ways, especially from the people we are serving. When we reach out to people in love they will surely take care of us, provided we are led by the Spirit. However, Jesus knows that some will not accept us in our mission but it is not our fault, they will condemn themselves by not accepting the Gospel. Our work is to proclaim to them and pray for them peace.
Taking nothing for the journey is one of the conditions of being an apostle is a reliance on the Lord. We are called to give Christ, not ourselves. This requires emptying ourselves of personal interest, of receiving something in return, of relying on our talents. An apostle is an ambassador of the Lord, giving others Christ’s riches. When we detach from false securities, trusting in God as our one security and knowing that he will provide everything, we are truly instruments of His power and authority.
“Whatever House You Enter, Stay There”: If we encounter someone on the journey who is open to the Lord, God may ask us to stay there, to linger and deepen that relationship. There is wisdom in planting a seed deeply and cultivating the ground around it before moving on to plant another seed. As Scripture tells us, the seed that falls in the dry ground will not bear much fruit, but the one that falls in the fertile ground will bear much fruit. When we take the time to prepare the ground by patiently answering questions, providing quality resources, and testifying to Chris’s love in the little things of everyday life, we are sharing the healing power of Christ’s love with those to whom God sends us.
The challenge is one; when the Gospel heralds have wrong motives and start asking for the pay for their work done. Here we shall not only have offended God and cut His divine Providence from us but also the people we are serving. God knows how He will reward us provided we do our work well. If we want money or any other thing, let us just do our work well. If you run after money, money will run away from you but if you run after excellence, money will run after you. The first reading encourages us not to ask for riches or poverty but what is our share, our daily bread so that we don't even take that of the other person. This should be our prayer in mission.
Our invitation today is that all of us participate in the mission of Christ. We cannot all be preachers, or priests, or brothers, or sisters, or catechists or religious and not being such doesn't stop us from proclaiming the kingdom of God. When we reach out and help the Gospel heralds and provide them with what keeps them proclaiming the Gospel, we are indeed spreading the kingdom of God on earth. Acts of love and charity are powerful ways to proclaim the Gospel, and above all the witness of life.
Reflect today in the Divine Providence of God in your mission. Do you trust in this Providence? How often do you help any Gospel heralds in their work by providing for them out of love or do you chase them away? Pray today that God will give you a spirit of discernment so that you know who is the true shepherd and that your generosity to Gospel heralds will increase.
Let us pray.
Lord, may I always delight in giving for no cost because I received at no cost for I know you are the only who one can reward and fulfill my hearts desires for the mission I am doing here on earth. Help me to always welcome and accept you in any way you come to me especially through those you choose to bring you to me. Amen
Be blessed
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