The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/070716.cfm)
reminds me that we need to travel light in this journey called
life.
My
wife and her sister recently joined a travel group and went to Mt Pulag. As she
was 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 i believe are essential that she
opted not to bring. 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.
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 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. 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
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
July 7, 2016
Lectionary: 386
Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1 Hos 11:1-4, 8e-9
Thus says the LORD:
When Israel was a child I loved him,
out of Egypt I called my son.
The more I called them,
the farther they went from me,
Sacrificing to the Baals
and burning incense to idols.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
who took them in my arms;
I drew them with human cords,
with bands of love;
I fostered them like one
who raises an infant to his cheeks;
Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,
they did not know that I was their healer.
My heart is overwhelmed,
my pity is stirred.
I will not give vent to my blazing anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again;
For I am God and not man,
the Holy One present among you;
I will not let the flames consume you.
out of Egypt I called my son.
The more I called them,
the farther they went from me,
Sacrificing to the Baals
and burning incense to idols.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
who took them in my arms;
I drew them with human cords,
with bands of love;
I fostered them like one
who raises an infant to his cheeks;
Yet, though I stooped to feed my child,
they did not know that I was their healer.
My heart is overwhelmed,
my pity is stirred.
I will not give vent to my blazing anger,
I will not destroy Ephraim again;
For I am God and not man,
the Holy One present among you;
I will not let the flames consume you.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16
R. (4b) Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken.
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken.
From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see:
Take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted,
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Alleluia Mk 1:15
The Kingdom of God is at hand:
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mt 10:7-15
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your wordsC
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your wordsC
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable
for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment
than for that town.”
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