T he material things are there to serve us, not for us to serve them.  We are empowered to make a difference in this world, not by what we have or own rather by replacing fear with love and helping those around us.

Wednesday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 9:5-9

Tobit 13:2, 3-4a, 4befghn, 7-8

L uke 9:1-6 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, (2) and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. (3) And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. (4) And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. (5) And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." (6) And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Meditation by Nancy Shirley

As I pondered today’s readings, I was struck by contrast from the first to the last.  In the first reading, there is a sense of powerlessness and guilt yet by the last reading, we read of being filled with power as the disciples are empowered to go forth and heal the world. Perhaps so telling of how we are when we truly embrace our Savior – from guilt and powerlessness to having the strength to face anything.

The first reading speaks of wretchedness and shame while seeking the mercy of the Lord.  There is such fear evident in the reading, the fear that we so frequently carry through our lives.  Are we worthy? Have we done enough? Do we have enough? We so often focus on what we cannot do or did wrong.  Whether at work or with family, fear is often times the background emotion.  It has been said that fear is the opposite of love.  It may lead us to actions that we later regret or prevent us from actions that we should take. Yet, mercy and love is always evident in our relationship with God.  As this reading ends, we are given a new life.  Symbolic of what we can have if we let go of the fear and replace it with love. If we give all and not be satisfied with just going through the motions.

Our responses in the psalm sing of the praises of God, Blessed be God, who lives forever. When we focus on God and the gifts so generously given to us, we can’t keep the fear.  It has been said that God and fear cannot occupy the same space.  So,  it becomes a choice for us to replace the fear with God. The responses echo as we celebrate days of gladness.

Lastly, the gospel reminds us of the power that we all have as a result of Christ’s death for us.  We need nothing more than that belief for the journey, this journey of life. The material things are there to serve us, not for us to serve them.  We are empowered to make a difference in this world, not by what we have or own rather by replacing fear with love and helping those around us.

Supplementary Reading

A BIG GoD

. . . bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. – Colossians 3:13

L ast year, a newspaper reported a story about Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Alberto Suansing. Then newly appointed, Suansing was said to have encountered some illegally parked jeepneys waiting for passengers on his way to his office. He approached the drivers and learned that one of them even had an expired traffic violation ticket in lieu of his driver’s license.

The driver explained that he didn’t have the money to redeem his license because he could hardly make ends meet. Moved to pity, Suansing handed the driver P500 to pay his fine and get his license back.

The story touched me and led me to reflect. What a “big” man this LTO chief was to have mercy and extend generosity to a lowly, errant driver. Then it struck me how our majestic God — who made heaven and earth and all that is in it — could be so compassionate and forgiving, wiping away our sins with His own blood.

If our Lord could be so generous to us, couldn’t we extend a little of that mercy to those who’ve wronged us? Rissa Singson- Kawpeng

REFLECTION:

But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions. (Matthew 6:15)

Jesus, I praise You for Your divine mercy! Thank You for forgiving me again and again.