The Gospel according to Mark (6: 7-13) 

He 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. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Opening Prayer: Lord, as I come into your presence, open my heart to experience your love for me. Let me hear your voice, so personal, so constant in my life, as I read this Scripture which you desire to be living and active in my life. Reveal your heart to me. I offer all and surrender all to you, whatever may happen in this time of prayer. Whatever you will Lord, as long as you want and however you want. No matter how I come now to this time of prayer, I want you to know I am here because I love you. You are the most important thing to me, and this prayer time is the most important thing I could do today. Bless my poor efforts with the gift of yourself. Here I am Lord; speak to me.

Encountering Christ: A few years ago some friends and I decided to go on the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela or The Way of Saint James.  This was an opportunity of a lifetime.  We would travel on foot carrying all our belongings and stay at albergues (hostels) along the way.  As we planned our trip we developed a VERY comprehensive packing list of all the essentials a pilgrim would need.  The night before we left I packed my backpack and soon found out I did not have enough room.  Some items would have to be left behind.  The first night of our pilgrimage, when we unpacked our belongings, we again realized we had too much.  This reassessing what was “necessary” and subsequent purging of items happened a few more times.  We obviously did not know what we were doing, but we learned.

In today’s gospel Jesus sends his twelve apostles out on a pilgrimage of mercy, healing, and charity.  They were to travel light, unlike the aforementioned rookies, and rely on the generosity of strangers.  However, he did not send them unprepared.  They went in pairs and with authority over unclean spirits.  Their master asked them to do what he had been doing.  And that is exactly what they did.

I wonder what was going through their minds when Jesus gave them their instructions?  Maybe they thought, “No way, we can’t perform miracles like him!”  And “We have to take more stuff if we are going to survive this trip.”  Or maybe they thought, “I trust him, I believe in him, I will try my best and we will see what happens.

So they went and they did exactly that, they trusted and did their best.  And look what happened.  They healed, cured, and delivered the message of repentance that leads to redemption.  And redemption leads to grace.  And grace is all we need.

Their needs we more than taken care of.  Their mission was more than a success.  They cooperated with the grace of God, at the direction of Jesus, and came back with more that what they gave and much more than what they left with. There is one lesson that we are reminded of often when we cooperate with the grace of God and serve, we cannot out give God.  It is just not possible for it is in giving that we receive.

So, pack light, listen to the instructions and encouragement of Jesus who sends us out, not alone, but with others both physically and in spirit to deliver the good news and to offer the healing touch of redemption.  

Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to trust you and let go of our expectations of how things should go.  When we rely on your word and trust that you will provide for our needs we can focus on the work we are called to do to further your kingdom.  If you provide for the sparrow you will provide for us.

Action for the Day: See what you can let go of to lighten your load so that you may better serve those who in need of the healing touch of Christ through your kindness and concern.

The Gospel according to…Mark 6: 1-6. He departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Opening Prayer: Lord I come before you today to place my heart in your gentle and merciful hands. I know you need my faith in order to make this time with you fruitful for my spiritual life. I invite the Holy Spirit to increase my belief in all the good you can do in my life. 

Encountering Christ:

This section of Mark’s Gospel ends with the rejection of Jesus by his own people. It summarizes some of the themes we read in the beginning of this Gospel, discipleship and faith, Jesus as a teacher and a miracle worker, as well as the misunderstandings and his rejection. The Jews from Jesus’ neighborhood presumed they knew him and, as a result, they failed to perceive any of his divine reality. Preconception, conjecture, or familiarity can blind us too from seeing that Jesus is in everyone. How many times have we rejected someone based on here-say or with someone else’s dealings with an individual?

Some of my experience, in the secular world, proves that this happens all of the time. I have seen good people work hard at a particular job in order to be promoted, to earn enough to enable them to better provide for their family only to be criticized by the jealousy of others. And in most cases I end up being transferred to other facilities where people can judge them by the fairness in which they treat others and by their strong work ethics.

It is hard to imagine the Creator of the heavens and earth would be hindered by anything if he wanted to execute his might. We see here that Our Lord values us so completely that he gives us the freedom to believe (or not believe) in his love for us. We are so free that our lack of belief–therefore our lack of permission–in him hinders the completion of good deeds for us. Yet, freedom is love. Nothing forced or kept is truly loved. God knew that when he left the final decision to us. Will we allow Christ to exercise his might in our lives? He waits for us to open ourselves up to him just a little further today. 

We know that Jesus raised the dead, walked on water, and made a tiny bit of food enough to feed the multitudes, so we could assume there is little that would amaze him. But here we read Jesus was amazed at the lack of faith of the people in his hometown. Amazed! God has so much to give to us, but when we remain stubborn and stuck in our disbelief he is saddened. We can pray, therefore, for God to move our heart by asking, “Lord, help my unbelief!” 

Faith is a gift from God, and we must ask for it and protect it. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord, how often I forget to intercept the thoughts that tell me you are not divine or that you cannot help me. I must reject those thoughts that are not from you and actively seek your protection and help throughout my day, so as never to “amaze” you with my lack of faith. 

 Closing Prayer: May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his son,  our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Action for the Day: As Jesus renews his unconditional commitment to us today, let us ask him to give us the courage in living out our commitment to him, turning our example, words and deeds into clear messages of his truth and love to everyone we encounter.

The Gospel according to Luke (2:22-40) 

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

 “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted -and you yourself a sword will pierce- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

Opening Prayer: Loving Lord, thank You for sending Jesus for me.  Help me to be a light of love and hope in a world of darkness.  Give me the grace to show Your love to all I meet, and to be Your servant in all that I do today.  Amen.

Encountering Christ: Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.  Amazingly enough, we have now come 40 days from the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas.  This is one of those occasions that has always amazed me since I became Catholic – how the annual calendar has built-in these reminders of little details that just keep us connected to the faith.  For example, we read in Luke of how Elizabeth was “in her sixth month” of pregnancy with Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist when Mary visited her.  We celebrate the birth of John the Baptist on June 25, and amazingly enough, we celebrate Jesus’ birthday six months later.  Such amazing care with this annual reminder of the cycle of our faith!

I’d like to focus on the two “bystanders” in this Gospel reading today: Simeon & Anna.  Each of them has something to share that we can learn which will help us in our journey as a follower of Jesus.  First, there is Simeon, who we read has been waiting for the “fulfillment of God’s promise”, the arrival of the Savior, the “consolation of Israel”.  We see further that he was given an amazing gift by God, namely, that he

would not die until he had seen that promise fulfilled, the “Christ of the Lord”.  The lesson we can take from Simeon is that God has a plan for each of us.  For Simeon, it was to patiently wait for the fulfillment of a promise.  For you or for me, it may be to be that shining light of faith and hope, even when we are in a world of darkness.  All we have to do is to ask God to show us how to be that light, and then (probably the hardest part) go and shine!

The second observer here is Anna, who is described as one whose whole life is about prayer and praise to God.  Another point that is made is how she “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem”.  Just in those few phrases, we are told essentially what each of us need to do to live as a follower of Jesus:  pray, and share the good news!  From her age, we can also see that she was, like Simeon, one who was willing to be patient to see the good news she hoped for.  Each of us is called to act in those same ways – to pray, and seek what God wishes for us to do to make His kingdom come; to speak about the good news, helping those around us to see that God has a plan and it is truly “good news” for us; and finally, to be patient, as the good that God promises will come in His time, not necessarily ours.

One final observation to leave with you – it may seem like it must have been a coincidence that Simeon and Anna just happened to be there at the time that Mary & Joseph brought Jesus to the temple.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  They were there, because it was where God wanted them to be and they were willing to be instruments of God at that moment.  That’s another part of the action we are called to take as followers of Jesus – we are sent, and the places we are to visit are those that God has ordained.  We don’t have to go, but our loving God asks us to go so that others may feel His love and mercy for them.  Let us be open to going, praying, speaking, and waiting.  That is how we can renew this Feast today, and every day of our lives.

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to be like Simeon & Anna, and to be patient to wait for Your plan to be revealed, and to share Your joy with everyone.  Let me be one who brings hope to the world.  Amen.

Action for the Day: Take ten minutes today to pause and reflect on what God is calling me to do, and at some point during the day, perform an act of kindness to help bring Jesus’ light to my own community.

Gospel Reflection written by Dn. Steve Hillmann

The Gospel according to Mark (4:26-34)

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come.” He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private.

Opening Prayer: Lord, let my prayer be fervent so that I see myself and the world more spiritually—the way you see me, the person you always hoped I would be. 

Encountering Christ:

Farmers work hard. They worked even harder in Jesus’s time, but for all the work they did, they couldn’t make a plant grow—even today’s farmers cannot make a plant grow. What is the farmer’s job then?

To help the plant grow. A farmer removes obstacles to a plant’s growth, like weeds and debris. The farmer also gives the plant what it needs to grow and be healthy, if necessary, like water and fertilizer. The farmer provides the best conditions for the plant to grow and the plant responds by growing. Jesus tells us that his kingdom is like this. We don’t make it grow. God does. Our job is to provide the best conditions for the kingdom to grow, first of all in our hearts and then in the hearts of those around us.

Are you a farmer for God? Do you get up every day and grab your gloves, shovel and watering can? Well I bet you do, and if you don’t – well you should! We are called to get our hands dirty every day helping make our personal lives and the world a better place – a more fertile vineyard for God’s people. There are a number of obstacles we must move to make our own souls AND the world more beautiful and productive. We should start by trimming our own branches within, so that we are able to clearly see what God has placed before us.

Can we sow the seed of friendship and happiness in our garden? Maybe we should look at our neighborhood of life and then water it with our prayer hoping to eventually reap a bountiful harvest of new relationships and strengthened bonds between us.

Yes, farmers work hard and today’s farming, as mechanized as it is, still requires the farmer to make the conscious effort to risk it all and plant his or her seeds while trusting in God for their growth. Our lives are the same. You see, it’s all about relationship and dependency on our fellow man. How we treat one another and bring spiritual growth first to ourselves and then to others.

If we will properly prepare our own personal field (heart & soul) and prepare a balanced base for the seed of faith to grow in (prayer), then we will see God bless that planting and He will surely make our tree of faith strong and mighty! He will also shine upon the rest of the plantings we have sowed around us.

Be a risk taker – just like the farmer. The farmer doesn’t know how the harvest will turn out, but he trusts that if prepared well – all will be well. Isn’t our faith similar? If we will allow the seed of our Baptism to grow and we take time to make sure it is well watered with prayer and cultivated with corporal works of mercy, then we will have a strong base and a faith that – just like the mustard tree – will be magnificent and blessed.

Closing Prayer: Lord, I’m sorry for not realizing, for sometimes forgetting, that I am here to help you in your mission of bringing all souls to heaven. Please help me to be ready to encourage, to give good example, to teach those you put in my life and to bring about change for your greater glory.

Action for the Day: Lord, today by your grace I will study something about MY faith so that I know it a little bit better, and can be more faithful in the way I live my life and help those who ask me about my faith.

Grow yourself each day and allow the Beauty of God to radiate His goodness down upon you each day…be patient in allowing your growth to happen little by little every day.