Daily Reflection | Gospel Reading | RVA

Gospel: Matthew 10:1-7
Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the Twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew, the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon, the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him.
Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.
Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.

Reflections
“The kingdom of God is near.”
Being called and being sent go together in Christian discipleship, but there is another element to it, namely the very reason for being called and sent. These are the threefold element of Christian discipleship. The “call” has an accompanying thing to accomplish.
The disciples were specifically sent for a definite purpose: to proclaim the kingdom of God. This is very clear to Jesus; He is sending them for this purpose. It is also clear to the twelve that this is the object of their calling. Jesus teaching, healing, and reconciling ministries inaugurated the reign of God. These ministries made historically concrete God’s love for all creation. The kingdom of God is God’s love reigning concretely on Earth through Jesus. Humanity had a foretaste of the fullness of creation through the healing and reconciling activities of Jesus. The kingdom of God that He began was made historically present, but not complete, that is why He called and sent the disciples. And these calling and sending extend to us, with the same purpose — the kingdom of God.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38
As they were going away, some people brought to Jesus a man who was dumb, because he was possessed by a demon. When the demon was driven out, the dumb man began to speak. The crowds were astonished and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He drives away demons with the help of the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.”

Reflections
“Seeing the crowd, Jesus was moved with pity.”
This gospel reading may be divided into two subjects: one that concludes the healing activities of Jesus and the other introduces the context for Jesus’ next set of discourse, that is, the instruction to the twelve. In going to places to cure every sickness and disease, Jesus was motivated by compassion and mercy. The same intent prompted Him to send disciples to continue His messianic ministry. He saw the people needing care and direction, and he acted on it. Jesus is sensitive and attentive to people’s deepest need and cry. He hears them and sees them in their suffering that is why He was moved with pity. This poses a challenge to us Christians if we are to live out the gospel message. To be sensitive and attentive to the sufferings of people means orienting our- selves and sharing a part of us to them. At times this is not easy. What is preventing us to see or respond to the need and abuses around us? What could be stop- ping us to lend a voice to those who are maltreated and exploited? We pray for the grace to be more caring and compassionate.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Matthew 9:18-26
While Jesus was speaking to them, an official of the synagogue came up to him, bowed before him and said, “My daughter has just died, but come and place your hands on her, and she will live.” Jesus stood up and followed him with his disciples.
Then a woman, who had suffered from a severe bleeding for twelve years, came up from behind and touched the edge of his cloak; for she thought, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned, saw her and said, “Courage, my daughter, your faith has saved you.” And from that moment, the woman was cured.
When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the excited crowd, he said, “Get out of here! The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping!” And they laughed at him. But once the crowd had been turned out, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up. The news of this spread through the whole area.

Reflections
“If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Two characters in today’s gospel have their own encounter of the healing power of Jesus: (1) an official of the synagogue, interceding on behalf of the dead daughter, approached Jesus in faith; and, (2) a woman who stealthily came to Jesus and secretly touched His cloak. In both cases the healing power of Jesus is sought. It is clear to them that what they have suffered from has become unbearable, and they are convinced that Jesus can de- liver them favorable result.
Both may not even be aware that faith is the requisite to grant their intent. Nevertheless, they possess it even before their actual approach to Jesus.
The condition so that Jesus power may operate on the plea of the official and the desire of the woman (and in our life too) is faith. The only way Jesus’ touch may effect healing (or some change) is through an act of faith. Faith prepares the ground so that the love of God can work in their/our lives. Faith is the key that opens up the door of heaven, so that we receive God’s grace. By being faithful, we share in the heavenly gifts.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 (or Luke 10:1-9)
After this, the Lord appointed seventy two other disciples, and sent them, two by two, ahead of him, to every town and place, where he himself was to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So you must ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest. Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Set off without purse or bag or sandals; and do not stop at the homes of those you know.
Whatever house you enter, first bless them, saying, ‘Peace to this house!’ If a friend of peace lives there, the peace shall rest upon that person. But if not, the blessing will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking at their table, for the worker deserves to be paid. Do not move from house to house.
When they welcome you to any town, eat what they offer you. Heal the sick who are there, and say to them: ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’
But in any town where you are not welcome, go to the market place and proclaim: ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off and leave with you. But know for a certainty that the kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’ I tell you, that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than for this town.
The seventy-two disciples returned full of joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we called on your name.” Then Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. You see, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the Enemy, so that nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice, rather, that your names are written in heaven.”

Lectio Divina
READ: The prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s saving action as bringing peace and comfort. Saint Paul invites the people of Galatia to see their Christian community as a “new creation” in which peace and mercy are enjoyed by those who welcome the Good News. And Saint Luke tells of Jesus to have chosen seventy- two and sent them out.
REFLECT: Jesus inauguration of the reign of God cannot be contained. It needs to expand and reach as many people. Thus, Jesus, sending of the seventy-two is meant to extend his mission. His instructions were clear, and their preparation adequate as it is evident in the success of their activities. They are to bless by giving peace and to heal the sick. With these gestures, the kingdom of God is brought to the people. In the dyn mics of calling and sending, the origin of the mission/task/ activity, how it will be carried out, the intention or purpose, and the recipient of task, are clearly identified. When Christ calls and sends out, it is to advance God’s reign of love, justice, mercy and peace. And we, as recipients of the call and the command to go out, are endowed with gifts that correspond to the nature of the task. Once God assigns a specific task to us, only we can accomplish it.
PRAY: God, Lord of the harvest, may we be a true witnesses of your love and goodness to others.
ACT: Be zealous in promoting the reign of justice, truth and mercy.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2019