Weekly Reflection

The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 
"Being a disciple means being constantly ready to bring love of Jesus to others, and this can happen unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey." Pope Francis
 
In today's first reading, Isaiah foretells the impending wealth and prosperity awaiting Jerusalem. In the second reading, St. Paul says his boast is in the cross of Christ. And in the gospel, Jesus sends the seventy-two with a mission of healing and good news in his name.
 
The gospel reading offers the opportunity to reflect on the following salient points. 
 
The Mission: God's call is always with a mission. When God calls, he is constantly with us. He does not abandon us. Jesus commissions the seventy-two disciples and gives them the assignment to preach peace in all the houses they go into before anything else.  
 
Urgency: Because the people are eager to receive the good news and the Kingdom of God is near, there is an urgency to Christ's mission. The message of Jesus must find its way to the recipients.
 
Challenge: The mission of Christ comes with a challenge. The disciples will face difficult moments because Jesus is sending them out like lambs among wolves. The people will reject the disciples. The Lord himself is a perfect example of rejection following his passion.
 
Comfort: When God chooses a person for his work, he provides the essentials. Therefore, the disciples need not worry about board and lodging because he would supply their needs. The missionaries will find welcoming homes. They, on their part, should conduct themselves well by not seeking comforts and other amenities.   
 
Success: The seventy-two can heal, preach, and subdue the devil. All these indicate that the Kingdom of God is becoming a reality, and the people are its beneficiaries. Indeed, a well-planned, well-intentioned work produces success and satisfaction. 
 
Brethren, reflecting on the mission, urgency, challenge, comfort, and success of today's gospel, let us, like Paul, in the second reading, be mindful that the only thing we can boast of is the cross of Christ. The cross of Christ is our identity, and we should all be proud to showcase and proclaim it.  

The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
May our encounter with Jesus in today's worship change our hearts and strengthen us to be instruments of peace and mercy in the world.
"Commitment is doing what you said you would do after the feeling you said it has passed." St. Camillus de Lellis  

In today's first reading, Elijah transfers his mantle to Elisha, who responds to God's call. In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that true freedom from slavery comes from love which is the greatest commandment. And in the gospel, Jesus instructs an intending disciple to be decisive in following him. 

Elisha left his family to answer God's summon upon receiving his call through Elijah. Thus, Elisha's response is a model for imitation. Once he received the Divine Mandate, he eliminated everything that could distract him from following God. Elisha's response to God's invitation implies never to look back. Looking back suggests we are in doubt and uncertain of what we are doing. Like Jesus, who sets his face on Jerusalem, aware of the consequence of his action and still ready to embrace it, we must be prepared to stay focused. Jesus resolutely journeys to Jerusalem to fulfill the will of His father. To imitate Jesus and Elisha, we must renounce our ego and comfort zones and eradicate all the vices within us.    

Furthermore, in the Gospel, Jesus invites various people to follow him. He declares to one of them, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." In more straightforward terms, we cannot be his follower if we are not prepared to give up everything for him. Jesus calls us to be his disciple, and he expects us to choose him above our family, friends, and every other person. He requires us to abandon all the bad habits and actions that obstruct following him. He wants us to dedicate ourselves fully and allow him for the first place in our life.  

Brethren, let us resolve today to follow Jesus unconditionally. Are you prepared to leave the mundane things to follow him?