Author: admin

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Gospel: Luke 9: 1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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There’s an old saying, “There are two sides to every story.”

Such is the case in today’s Gospel. On one hand, Jesus sends his disciples out to preach and to cure with the added instruction, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.”

On the surface, it seems like the Lord is stripping his disciples bare, as if they must fend for themselves in a cold, harsh world of the Lord’s own making. But that isn’t the case.

Rather, the Lord is building upon a Jewish tradition, which all of the Apostles would’ve understood. 

In ancient Israel, it was customary for a person to part with their walking staff, shoes, money belt, and to cleanse the dust from their feet before entering the Temple to pray. 

Both physically and spiritually, a person would part with all of their worldly cares and possessions before addressing God, who always comes first. After leaving the Temple, a person would gather their belongings before re-entering the world.

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By instructing his disciples to part with all of their belongings before preaching and healing, Jesus is telling them to treat the entire world – including every person they meet – as if it is within Temple.

Meaning everything and everyone is holy, a type of dwelling place for God.

As Christians, we’re called to maintain that same type of attitude, treating all as if we are another Christ.

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The other side of the story is this: if the disciples are going out without a thing to their name, then they’ll need the good will and support of their brothers and sisters along the way.

While the Gospel should be preached free of charge, it is also an honor to care for those who share it, which is why the Church emphasizes the need for charity.

This is particularly true of supporting religious orders like Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, who keep nothing but the Word of God, otherwise depending entirely on the support of others.

Perhaps this is what the Lord is asking of us today: to see the world as holy; to care for the poor; and to support those who preach the Gospel – not only in word but with their very lives.

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Image credits: (1) Encouraging.com (2) The Well Community Church (3) Good and Godly DNA with LA, WordPress

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Gospel: Luke 8: 19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers 
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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If you asked most Catholics, I’m sure they’d say there are two things they feel the Church is constantly asking them for: time and money.

This is particularly true during the holidays.

You only need to read a church bulletin to see all of the opportunities to give – from Thanksgiving dinners, to care packages for the homeless, blankets, clothing, and Giving Trees. 

Sometimes when I read these endless lists, I’m reminded of the good that so many people do – Catholic nuns like the Missionaries of Charity, in particular – to serve the less fortunate not only during the holidays, but every day.

But as Catholics, perhaps the Lord is calling us to change our mindset. We need to stop “volunteering.” To “volunteer” means, “to perform a particular action without obligation.” 

Meaning, we could choose to volunteer at the local soup kitchen just as easily as we could choose to attend a Giants or Jets football game. There’s no sense of duty involved in either.

What we should do is “serve.” Service implies obligation; duty; a sense of commitment to another. The Lord makes it abundantly clear throughout the Gospels that whatever we do to one another, we do to him. In that sense, we’re obligated to serve.

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus is told that his mother, brothers, and sisters are outside, wanting to speak with him. In Mark’s account of this episode, the Lord replies, “Who are my mother and my brothers and sisters? … Those who hear the Word of God and act on it.”

Being part of any family comes with its sense of obligation – show up for the holidays, make phone calls, send birthday cards. But those who are part of Christ’s divine family must do more: be of loving service to each other.

This call we first received in baptism, when we were integrated into the body of Christ. The Christian life is simply an extension of living out that call.

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While it’s easy to feel like churches are always asking for “more,” use it as a reminder that giving is simply part of who we are.

Brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Image credits: (1) Renewing Worship (2) Ahead of the Curve (3) Resurrection Parish

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Gospel: Luke 8: 16-18

Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Imagine life without light.

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If you opened your fridge, you’d struggle to find the milk.

If you came to Mass, the church would be dark.

If you tried driving at night, the roads would be hauntingly black.

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Light is essential to how we live our lives. 

But different size light bulbs are needed for different purposes.

In your fridge, a 40-watt bulb is perfect.

In a church, you need bigger bulbs.

At night, you need even larger ones to brighten our streets.

Each bulb serves the same purpose: to cast out the darkness, but each in their own place.

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In a similar way, God has given each of us a purpose in life – a unique way to shine bright, to share our faith, to be the face and voice of Christ. 

Think of Padre Pio, whose feast day we celebrate today. He was the light in the darkness of the confessional, extending God’s infinite love and mercy to thousands of people.

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In what way do I light up the world around me?

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“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed,” Jesus says. “Rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.”

Be that light – shine “brightly” – where God has planted you and, together, Christians will light up the world today.

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Image credits: (1) International Catholic Stewardship Council (2) Monash Lens (3) International Leadership Institute