The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020416.cfm)
reminds me that God wants us to depend on Him.
In
the gospel, Jesus instructed his disciples to bring just what is necessary, the
very basics. He told them not to take anything except a walking stick
Why
a walking stick…?
In
those times, it was normal for people to have a walking stick. People, especially those advanced in age and
those who often travel, have a walking stick. It helps them since they travel
through far distances. It gives them additional strength by acting
as their third leg, or something that would support their weary legs so as not
to take all the weight of the body. It is also used to protect themselves
from stray animals as they travel. Also, we see in the bible God using the
walking stick or staff to perform great
things - Moses parted
the red sea, led
Israelites to victories in wars, and drew water out
of a stone all by using a staff or a stick.
How light the disciples must
have felt in that trip. No extra things to weigh them down.
However, in today’s day and
age, we sometimes feel that we need a lot of things to survive. There are a lot
of gadgets, smartphones and power banks, that we feel we need with us every
time. When we travel, we bring with us a lot of these things. That’s why
sometimes, instead of enjoying our journey and focusing on it, our attention is
diverted because we have to think of what we brought, making sure nothing gets
lost or left behind. We need battery and internet signal so we can take
pictures upload at once to social media, then we check how our friends would
react to our posts.
This is exactly what Jesus did
not want to happen to his apostles. He wanted them to remain simple so they could focus on their task.
More than that, they wanted them to have faith that God will provide as they stay focused on God. Divine
Providence.
God wants us to depend on Him
as we journey in life.
In the first reading, this was
what David told his son Solomon. He told him to live right, love, serve and
depend on God as he reigns on the kingdom. He does not want Solomon to be proud
of what he is and what he can do. He wants Solomon to always be dependent on
God, especially as he governs as king.
May we be challenged and see
what things we do not really need, the things that are taking our focus away
from God and the task he has in store for us. Let us develop our faith in God’s
providence – he still provides, until now!
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for reminding us the importance
of staying light – to rid ourselves of anything and everything that prevents us
from focusing on you and from doing what you want us to do. Thank you for Pope
Francis who reminds us and who lives this. Lord, there are a lot of
distractions in my life, and I ask that you help me keep my focus on you. I am
sorry for allowing myself to be distracted, and for considering as necessary
some of the extras in life. Help me have faith and travel light as I take this
journey towards you. I have faith that you will always provide, so I just need
to focus on you and put you. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
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Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 326
Reading 1 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12
When the time of David’s death drew near,
he gave these instructions to his son Solomon:
“I am going the way of all flesh.
Take courage and be a man.
Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways
and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees
as they are written in the law of Moses,
that you may succeed in whatever you do,
wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill
the promise he made on my behalf when he said,
‘If your sons so conduct themselves
that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart
and with their whole soul,
you shall always have someone of your line
on the throne of Israel.’”
David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years:
he reigned seven years in Hebron
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
Solomon was seated on the throne of his father David,
with his sovereignty firmly established.
he gave these instructions to his son Solomon:
“I am going the way of all flesh.
Take courage and be a man.
Keep the mandate of the LORD, your God, following his ways
and observing his statutes, commands, ordinances, and decrees
as they are written in the law of Moses,
that you may succeed in whatever you do,
wherever you turn, and the LORD may fulfill
the promise he made on my behalf when he said,
‘If your sons so conduct themselves
that they remain faithful to me with their whole heart
and with their whole soul,
you shall always have someone of your line
on the throne of Israel.’”
David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.
The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years:
he reigned seven years in Hebron
and thirty-three years in Jerusalem.
Solomon was seated on the throne of his father David,
with his sovereignty firmly established.
Responsorial Psalm 1 Chr 29:10, 11ab, 11d-12a, 12bcd
R. (12b) Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“LORD, you are exalted over all.
Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
“Blessed may you be, O LORD,
God of Israel our father,
from eternity to eternity.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“Yours, O LORD, are grandeur and power,
majesty, splendor, and glory.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“LORD, you are exalted over all.
Yours, O LORD, is the sovereignty;
you are exalted as head over all.
Riches and honor are from you.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
“In your hand are power and might;
it is yours to give grandeur and strength to all.”
R. Lord, you are exalted over all.
Alleluia Mk 1:15
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 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.
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.
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