Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Joan Cawley
Opening Prayer
Lord, may I be open to Your call to be Your disciple, to be Good News to all, and to bring others Your mercy and love.
Scripture
Mark 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick – no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection
In this passage, we find a group of ordinary men called to preach the word of God – a word they really didn’t yet understand. They were poor men, some had families, and lived a simple lifestyle. Their directions were minimal as to what they could take and where they would stay. Yet, despite what seemed a major job, they were highly successful. Why? They followed the example of Jesus. That was the beginning of the Church’s mission.
Down the centuries, ordinary people have been called by God. We can list those who have done great things for the Church: St. Francis Xavier, St. Catherine of Sienna, Mother Teresa, to name a few. However, do we realize that we too have been called? By our baptism, we are called to share our faith, to spread the Word of God’s love and mercy.
The opportunities for revealing and sharing one’s faith are many – at home, work, and in the ordinary circumstances of daily living. Some folks give medical service; others provide legal assistance; some work collectively to repair or build houses; parents, rearing their children in the faith – all carry on the work of Christ. Working and/or supporting local food pantries, volunteering to help a neighbor, taking time to listen to someone, sharing a meal with a shut-in or visiting a nursing home – very simple but meaningful activities that spread the Word of God’s love. As St. Theresa reminds us: Christ has no hands but ours; no feet but ours.
Closing Prayer
God, we ask You to look upon us as we respond to Your Son’s call for disciples. We ask You to listen to our prayers and grant them according to Your will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.