Dependent on God

The WORD today (see http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/020719.cfm) reminds me that I should always depend on God. 

When we travel, we usually bring a lot of things. We pack a lot in our luggages. We want to have extras so we can capture every moment and be connected on the web. However, this can lead to us being worried and and concerned about these things and not the trip. This is what Jesus wants us to avoid. 

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, we are reminded why we should depend on God. Why we should trust God. He is powerful and mighty. There is no reason to not trust him. 

How much do I trust God? Do I believe in his love and power? Do I believe his word? What prevents me from fully surrendering to God? 

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. May we always have our full faith and trust in God all the time.  

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 the reminder to trust in and depend on you. Thank you for Pope Francis who reminds us and who lives this. Lord, sorry for forgetting this. Sorry for being worried about a lot of things. Sorry for losing my focus on you. 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-

Daily Readings

February 7 2019

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 326

Reading 1 HEB 12:18-19, 21-24

Brothers and sisters:
You have not approached that which could be touched
and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness
and storm and a trumpet blast
and a voice speaking words such that those who heard
begged that no message be further addressed to them.
Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said,
"I am terrified and trembling."
No, you have approached Mount Zion
and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,
and countless angels in festal gathering,
and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven,
and God the judge of all,
and the spirits of the just made perfect,
and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant,
and the sprinkled Blood that speaks more eloquently
than that of Abel.

Responsorial PsalmPS 48:2-3AB, 3CD-4, 9, 10-11

R. (see 10)  O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, "the recesses of the North,"
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.

Alleluia MK 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.