10-July-2006
Dear Friend,
There are times in our lives when we are called to represent others, and
speak and act on their behalf. It may be that we are chosen to represent the
class or school or college, whether it is in an academic setting or on the
playing field. At these times we feel elated and at the same time responsible
as we prepare ourselves as best as we can to put up a good performance. Do we
realize that we have been called and sent as believers to represent God in his
world today? We are responsible to him and for him! Have a great weekend being
Christ-like! Fr. Jude
Sunday Reflections: Fifteenth Sunday of the Year Jesus mission continues
in me! 16-July-2006
Readings: Amos 7:12-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13;
The first reading from is from Amos, who lived in the eight century B.C. a
contemporary of Isaiah, Micah and Hosea, and was called the prophet of social
justice. It was a time of prosperity for Israel but also of great corruption.
Amos not only condemned the pagan nations but also Israel for its crimes and
that was not acceptable to the Israelites. Amos was not accepted for three
reasons: His message of social injustice was not popular among the high-living
wealthy Israelites. Secondly he was a foreigner, coming from the south
preaching in the northern territory among Israels prominent sanctuaries in the
North. Thirdly, Amos was poor himself, and spoke of his insight that the evils
around him stemmed from greed. The reaction against Amos was that the wealthy
self-appointed prophets of the ruling class rejected him and drove him out.
Truth always confronts us.
Be the prophet!
One winters day a man came upon a small boy sitting begging on a wind-swept
city bridge. The boy was shivering from the cold and obviously in need of a
good meal. On seeing him the man got very angry and said to God: God why dont
you do something about this boy? And God replied, I have already done
something about him. This surprised the man so he said, I hope you dont mind
me saying this, but whatever you did, it doesnt seem to be working. I agree
with you there, replied God. By the way, what did you do? the man asked. I
made you. came the reply. -There is nothing wrong in asking God to right
wrongs and comfort the suffering. But we must remember that he has entrusted
these tasks to us.
Flor McCarthy, in 'New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies'
In the second reading from Paul to the Ephesians, Paul focuses on the
centrality of Christ in our salvation history. It is a hymn of praise and
thanksgiving in which Paul praises God for the great spiritual gifts given to
us in Christ. For his own reasons and not because of our merit, God has chosen
to bless us in Christ. God has blessed us so that we might be holy and set
apart, to be a blessing for others. The second reason for the blessings is that
we might live blameless lives offering an acceptable sacrifice of our lives to
God. The third reason why God has blessed us is that we might be filled with
His kind of love so that like Jesus and in Jesus we might reveal the Fathers
love to all mankind. Paul tells us: Whether you eat or sleep, or whatever else
you do, do it all in the name of Jesus.
My Father owns the shop!
There was a programme on American television where three or four people were
given trolleys in a supermarket and given a certain time to fill them with
groceries. The winner was decided as the one who had the highest bill at the
checkout. A whistle blew and the stampede began! They bumped into each other;
items missed the trolley as they were thrown from a distance. When the time was
up and they made their way to have their goodies checked, they looked into each
others trolleys, they saw the things they had missed, they were annoyed with
themselves at some of their stupid choices etc. Now let me present that
scenario again, except this time we give the trolley to a committed Christian.
We have the whistle, the stampede and everything all over again, except that
our Christian friend is seen to act very differently. He strolls along at ease.
He put a loaf of bread, some milk, butter, and sugar in his trolley. He picks
up an item that fell from one of the other trolleys and
put it in the trolley. The final whistle blows and they arrive at the
checkpoint. Immediately our friend gets every ones attention. Their first
reaction is a combination of mockery, puzzlement, and anger. One of them said,
Who let you out? Did no body tell you what this is all about? Why are you
laid-back, and why didnt you go for it, like the rest of us? The young man
smiled and replied, My Father owns the supermarket!-Being out there in the
world, giving Christian witness, is supposed to make a major difference.
Jack McArdle, in And thats the Gospel truth
In today's gospel Mark notes that firstly, Jesus sends out his disciples to
preach the good news. No one is a selfappointed messenger, we are believers
sent by God. Secondly, Christianity is not focused on itself, faith is a gift
to be shared with others and not kept for oneself. Jesus wanted his disciples
to be involved in His mission, he sent them out in twos so that they might
help, encourage and support each other. Jesus reminds his disciples that their
mission is primarily a spiritual one to preach repentance and the coming of
the kingdom. But it was also concerned with physical and mental healing. This
shows that Christianity is concerned with peoples spiritual well being and
with their physical well-being as well; in other words with the whole person.
They were to carry no material things with them to give to the people. Their
message must sell itself on its own merits, and had to be accepted principally
for spiritual reasons. Jesus reminded his disciples that
they are to be witnesses to poverty by their detachment from material things.
If their preaching was sometimes rejected, they had to move on. The success of
their mission was not tied to their own personal successes or failures. Are we
relying on oneself or God?
Trust in God
Once a knight set out on a long journey. He tried to foresee all the possible
problems and dangers he was likely to encounter, and to take precautions
against them. He took a sword and a suit of armour in case he met an enemy. He
took a jar of ointment to guard against sunburn. He took an axe to chop wood
for a fire at night. He took a tent and several blankets. He took pots and pans
for cooking. And of course he took a sackful of oats for his horse. Thus
heavily laden, he set forth. However, he hadnt gone very far when he came to a
rickety old bridge, which straddled a deep gorge. He was only halfway across
when the bridge collapsed under him, and he fell into the gorge and got
killed.- When Jesus sent out his apostles he urged them to place complete
confidence in God and not in things. God would take care of their needs.
Flor McCarthy, in 'New Sunday & Holy Day Liturgies'
"By sending his disciples Jesus, while remaining in retreat, looks to the
spreading of his messianic influence: sharing his task and destiny, they too
are engaged in the prophetic proclamation of the kingdom. It is true that like
Amos, a simple herdsman, nothing has prepared them for this mission. But what
matters is not the brilliance of their intelligence, the allure of their word,
their noble birth. Getting rid of useless baggage and merely human assurances,
they must let Christ speak through their mouths, and act through their hands.
And no doubt, since the kingdom of God does not satisfy the superficial
expectations of men, the success of their mission is not guaranteed; the
welcome of the crowds could be half-hearted or ephemeral, or even hostile, That
does not hinder them, seized by God, chosen by his Son, the disciples should go
forward and proclaim that the kingdom of God is at hand. Glenstal Missal
Relying on Him, may I be his witness by my life!
Fr. Jude Botelho
www.netforlife.net
PS. The stories, incidents and anecdotes used in the reflections have been
collected over the years from books as well as from sources over the net and
from e-mails received. Every effort is made to acknowledge authors whenever
possible. If you send in stories or illustrations I would be grateful if you
could quote the source as well so that they can be acknowledged if used in
these reflections. These reflections are also available on my web site
www.netforlife.net
Thank you.
Fr. Jude Botelhowww.NetForLife.net
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