A reading from the Holy Gospel according to 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 from there.
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: Choose what is holy
There was a community living peacefully by a river, and one day a person in distress was found floating downstream. Some of the villagers who saw the person rushed to their aid, nursed their wounds, took them in and help the person heal. The person recovered, learned a trade and became an asset to the village. A few days later, more people in distress were found floating down the river. More of the kind hearted members of the village also rushed to help them, cared for their wounds and helped them heal. They also helped them recover and they too became a part of their community and helped the village thrive. As the months passed by, more and more people in distress were found floating down the river. Some were children. Some were men, some were women and the elderly. More villagers came to help. They helped the people in distress from their trauma, from their pains, to recover from their wounds, to helped them heal, and to be back on their feet again. Some of them wondered and asked the question, what is happening upstream? Nevertheless, they just kept helping the ones in distress found downstream by the river next to their village. The villagers were not perfect nor did they always agree on how to do things, but they chose to help and care for one another, especially as they cared for the helpless, the wounded, and the ones in distress.
In the Gospel reading, we hear how the twelve apostles followed Jesus’ instructions to preach repentance, they anointed and healed the sick and drove out many demons.
As followers of Christ, Jesus asks us to not only preach to be sorry for our sins, but to be willing to change for the better and care for one another. Jesus is always with us and He prompts us to choose what is of goodness, what is of humility and of hope, to choose what is uplifting and encouraging, of giving and generosity, of unity, choices that lead to healing, to choose options that lead to what is holy. Brothers and Sister, heed the call of the Holy Spirit of our Lord! Begin anew by choosing what is good and holy. Share kindness to all and care for one another, and everyone we meet.
Action for the Day:
As we make choices throughout the day, call upon our Lord Jesus to guide and strengthen us. Heed the prompting of Jesus’ Holy spirit prompting us towards goodness and holiness in our hearts. Lord Jesus, help us to choose what is holy to share your kindness.
Audio Reflection:
