The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/070316.cfm)
reminds me that we need to pack light in life and just trust in
God.
My
wife and her sister recently joined a travel group and went to Mt Pulag. As she
as preparing for the trip, she rearranged her bag a number of times. She wanted
to travel light and bring only the essentials. There were a number of things
she eventually discarded to optimize her backpack. I asked her if that would be
enough since there are some things she did not bring anymore. She told me that
the travel organizers would take care of other things, and they need not think
of everything for the trip. This is how God wants us to travel in life. This is
the faith God wants from us.
God wants us to
pack light and travel light, and trust in Him with other things.
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 sort of 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 that God used 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 feel that as though 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. We take pictures and videos, and upload them at once to social media
instead of savoring the moment. 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 lose our
focus from the really important things.
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.
With my wife’s climb, true
enough, the organizers took care of other things. Tents. Some meals. Etc. and
in as much as the organizers came through with their word, how much with
Heavenly Father? He keeps his word and will always be there to guide and
protect us. He will always be there to provide for us. We just need to obey. To
have faith. And to focus in Him.
As I
look at my life, what are the extras that seem to be necessities? What are
weighing me down? What things, people or habits are hindering me from focusing
on God and on the task he has for me? What are hindering me from fully trusting
and surrendering to God? Am I willing to let go?
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 and will always do.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another Sunday. 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. Sorry for not always doing this. Sorry for wanting a lot. Sorry for
focusing on the wrong things in life. I am sorry for allowing myself to be
distracted, and for considering as necessary some of the extras in life. Lord,
there are a lot of distractions in my life, and I ask that you help me keep my
focus on you. 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 first. Amen.
Blessed
Sunday!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
July 3, 2016
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 102
Reading 1 Is 66:10-14c
Thus says the LORD:
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,
all you who love her;
exult, exult with her,
all you who were mourning over her!
Oh, that you may suck fully
of the milk of her comfort,
that you may nurse with delight
at her abundant breasts!
For thus says the LORD:
Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.
As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,
and fondled in her lap;
as a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice
and your bodies flourish like the grass;
the LORD's power shall be known to his servants.
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,
all you who love her;
exult, exult with her,
all you who were mourning over her!
Oh, that you may suck fully
of the milk of her comfort,
that you may nurse with delight
at her abundant breasts!
For thus says the LORD:
Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent.
As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms,
and fondled in her lap;
as a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.
When you see this, your heart shall rejoice
and your bodies flourish like the grass;
the LORD's power shall be known to his servants.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20
R. (1) Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Brothers and sisters:
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world.
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,
but only a new creation.
Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule
and to the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth,
sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise.
Say to God, "How tremendous are your deeds!"
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
"Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you,
sing praise to your name!"
Come and see the works of God,
his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
He has changed the sea into dry land;
through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him.
He rules by his might forever.
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare
what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not
my prayer or his kindness!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Reading 2 Gal 6:14-18
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
through which the world has been crucified to me,
and I to the world.
For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision,
but only a new creation.
Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule
and to the Israel of God.
From now on, let no one make troubles for me;
for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers and sisters. Amen.
Alleluia Col 3:15a, 16a
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts;
let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 10:1-12, 17-20
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say,
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet,
even that we shake off against you.'
Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand.
I tell you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."
The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said,
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name."
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say,
'The dust of your town that clings to our feet,
even that we shake off against you.'
Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand.
I tell you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."
The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and said,
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name."
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
Or Lk 10:1-9
At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'"
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