Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Matthew 10: 16-23

Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.
But beware of men,
for they will hand you over to courts
and scourge you in their synagogues,
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake
as a witness before them and the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel
before the Son of Man comes.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Father Walter Ciszek, S.J., spent twenty-three years in Soviet prison camps after being falsely accused of being a spy.

In his memoir, With God in Russia, Ciszek describes the horrific rigors of daily life, how prisoners lived under constant surveillance, worked inhumane hours, were tortured, and faced the constant threat of death. 

Determined to break him, Soviet officers drugged him, beat him, interrogated him, and occasionally, moved him from one camp to another.

Little did the guards realize that every time they moved Father Walter from one prison to another, they helped to stretch the kingdom of God.

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Everywhere he went, Father Walter celebrated Mass under the cover of darkness, led retreats, taught prisoners how to pray, and even baptized once hardened criminals. He was like a light shining in the darkness. 

All of this came as no surprise to him. Jesus predicted it would happen in today’s Gospel.

“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves,” he says. “Men will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness.” 

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What happened to Father Walter also happened to the first Christians. 

When they were persecuted in one town, they fled to the next. Doing so caused the Gospel to spread further and further, until it reached the ends of the world.

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So, what does this mean for us?

The Gospel can spread under every conceivable circumstance, even in labor camps, public floggings, and kangaroo courts. If it can spread there, then it can also spread around us.

Regardless of what our circumstances may be in this moment – whether we’re filled with blessings or in dire need of grace – the Gospel can spread through us.

Much of that potential is determined by our own attitude, and how responsive we are to the Spirit. As one Saint once said, “Give me only your love and your grace. That is enough for me.” 

Father Walter Ciszek, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) NIV Bible (2) Father Ciszek, America Magazine (3) Gottesdienst

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Gospel: Matthew 10: 7-15

Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
than for that town.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Last Sunday’s Gospel described the missionary journey of 72 of Jesus’ disciples. They were sent out to preach, to heal, and to cast out demons. Thus, the work of the Church had begun. 

Today’s Gospel describes the very first missionary journey, when Jesus sent out the Twelve. “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or a walking stick,” he tells them.

Jesus isn’t attempting to strip his disciples bare. Rather, he is building upon a Jewish tradition, which the Apostles would’ve understood. 

In ancient Israel, it was customary for a person to part with their walking staff, shoes, girdle of money, and to cleanse the dust from their feet before entering the Temple to pray. They were to address God “unburdened.”

Afterwards, a person could gather their belongings and re-enter the world.

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

Everyone is a potential dwelling place for God.

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However, practically speaking, 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, and depend entirely our support.

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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) Fritz von Uhde: Journey to Bethlehem 1890 (2) Reaching and Teaching International Ministries (3) Kingdom Upgrowth

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Gospel: Matthew 10: 1-7

Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
The names of the Twelve Apostles are these:
first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew,
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot
who betrayed Jesus.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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Much can be said about this Gospel passage. It’s immensely rich, offering details into the mind and power of Christ, who chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. 

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Perhaps the most “miraculous” aspect of it is just how diverse Jesus’ disciples were.

For example, there was Matthew the tax-collector and Simon the Zealot. Both were chosen to be Apostles. But without the Lord, they would’ve been sworn enemies.

Jews hated tax collectors. They were lumped into the same ritual lot as unclean animals, robbers, and murderers. In a word, they were considered scum.

Simon would’ve certainly thought so. He was part of a highly patriotic movement called the “Zealots,” who were willing to go to extreme measures, even violence, to fight for Jewish independence.

Rome was seen as a bitter enemy who suppressed Jewish freedom. Thus, Matthew, a Jewish tax-collector, would’ve been repellent.

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Yet Jesus was able to bring these two men together, setting aside their differences, uniting them under a single purpose: the salvation of souls. 

That’s what we need God’s holy Spirit to continue doing today: unite people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, opinions, even theologies, under the single bosom of Mother Church.

Surely, there’s room for us all.

What are some of the barriers that impede the Church from growing in unity? Conversely, what are some of the ways we can grow together?

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Like Simon and Matthew, this is our mission: to find ways to work together for the salvation of all.

Come, Holy Spirit!

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Image credits: (1) Grace Bible Church (2) Nicolas Poussin (3) 9Marks