With open hands

Listening to the Spirit

Heavenly Father,
when your only begotten Son Jesus Christ rose from the dead,
he commissioned his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations”
and you remind us that through our Baptism we are made sharers in the mission of the Church.

Empower us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
to be courageous and zealous in bearing witness to the Gospel,
so that the mission entrusted to the Church, which is still very far from completion,
may find new and efficacious expressions that bring life and light to the world.
Help us make it possible for all peoples to experience the saving love,
and mercy of Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Listening to the Word

Mk 6:7-13

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered 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 to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Reflection

A story about an old woman who was brought to a psychiatric center. She was wild, swinging at everything in sight, and scaring everyone so much that the doctors had to take everything away from her. But there was one small coin which she gripped in her fist and would not give up. In fact, it took two men to pry open that squeezed hand. It was as though she would lose her very self along with the coin. If they deprived her of that last possession, she would have nothing more and be nothing more. That was her fear.

In one way or another, we too have “coins” which become our comfort zone and make us imprisoned. When we center our lives only on material things we become like this old woman who attaches so much to our possessions. Eventually, we forget the essential and the only necessary thing, the Kingdom of God. We forget the message of our Master, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Mt 6:33).

We too, psychologically and spiritually are loaded with heavy burdens. Our bag or luggage is full of bitterness, guilt, worry, shame, hatred, unforgiveness, etc. These heavy loads have made us unfree to go and spread the joy of the Gospel. We spend more time focusing on our loads than following our Master who carries the light yoke. Our Master says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30).

Do not forget to learn from our Master, Jesus who is free and wants us to be free so that we can spread the joy of the Kingdom of God. He commands his disciples to center their lives in God and focus their attention on the people to whom they were sent. “He ordered 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 to put on two tunics. Indeed, we are called to be sent. Let us follow the instruction of the One who sends us by centering our life and ministry not in accumulating things but in sharing our gifts (joy, love, hope, forgiveness, etc.).

With open hands, let us give away our “coins” (guilty, shame, hatred, etc.).

With open hands, let us trust our life and ministry in God

With open hands, let us spread the joy of the Gospel.

With open hands, let us receive the blessings (faith, hospitality, love, hope) from the people in our ministry.