Trust in providence

Today’s Gospel Text:  And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying, give without pay. 9 Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it, and stay with him until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, salute it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomor'rah than for that town. Matt 10:7-15

Reflection: One of the criteria's to discern the work of God is the attitude towards money and wealth by those who are laboring in the vineyard of God.

Jesus’ clear instruction on giving is this: “You received without paying, give without pay.”

Hence, it is enjoined on the ministers of God's gifts that they labor without expectations from people and individuals.

God is the provider on whom the dedicated disciple is supposed to be dependent on and hence Jesus even asks him to; “take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food. (vs. 9-10)

It requires faith to take a step in total trust; for such is the demand placed on the dedicated disciple of Christ when sent on a mission to proclaim the word.

This is no excuse for those who have been given by the Lord so as not to support this great task.  

The crux of the issue is this: Total dependency on the part of the dedicated disciples, in the Lord and in his providence, when they are ministering the gifts of grace in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Could the lack of faith in the Lord and his words be one of the reason why the gospel has suffered in our time?

Our modern education makes us doubt everything and anything and all that seems good, except oneself. Likewise the formation on the word of God. 

How much can we trust ourselves and in the process trust the deceptive knowledge that comes our way and believe in what cannot be easily trusted?

God is the surest person to trust and so too his word is true, no matter how foolish it may appear to the rational mind.

Prayer:  God our Father, prepare my heart to trust in your providence and care.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us

Equipped for Ministry

Today’s Gospel Text:  And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10 And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." 12 So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. Mark 6:7-13

Reflection: If you were to be sent on a mission by the state or by a corporate entity then that state or corporate entity will provide for your every need, and if not, then it will definitely equip you with the means required to accomplish that mission.

No mission can be accomplished successfully, unless one is equipped.

In our modern days the church too sends its personnel’s on a mission, equipped in a school of formation, with theology and philosophy, sociology and psychology and some even with a little management principles.

To those who were with him, what did Jesus equip them with?  

This is what the passage of scripture reveals to us about Jesus’ action: “And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.” (vs. 7)

And to make matters, concerning their mission, more clear to them, he sent them out to depend totally on God; in the providence of God.

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. (vs. 8-9)

Sometimes from the outcome or the reactions we know the original or source; from the fruit we know the tree: 

If Jesus equipped them with authority over the unclean spirits then he is also communicating to us the most important aspect of our mission as Christians, viz. to destroy the works of the devil. (cfr. 1Jn. 3:8)

In other words it also brings to light a great truth: every human being need to be freed from the clutches and influences of the evil one and thanks be to God in Christ Jesus, he makes this possible for us.

No wonder St. Paul reminds us: “We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12

Prayer:  Lord, equip me as I seek to be your instrument and give me the spirit of boldness and discernment against the forces of evil.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us