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February 5, 2015

Jesus Christ shows his intention of founding his Church by choosing the twelve apostles. He instructs them on how to do their mission. He also gives them authority over unclean spirits, and ability to cure people with ailments. Today Jesus is sounding off this same call to us – to be his messengers of the Good News. We can do this mission first by making our personal lives a living testimony to the love and goodness of God. Then some of us may be called to be catechists or missionaries like the apostles.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus instructs the apostles not to bring anything – clothes, food or money – for the journey. Why? Because Jesus wants them to experience God’s providence and trust in Him. So whatever role in the Church God is calling you to do, remember that Jesus will be with you till the end of time as he promised. Do not be afraid and trust in the providence of God. And do not think that you are unworthy of the call. Remember that among the apostles, one denied Jesus three times, another doubted in his resurrection and a third betrayed him. The Lord knows each one of us. He knows our weaknesses. So just trust in him and the Holy Spirit to give you the grace and strength to fulfill your mission.

And when you have fulfilled your mission and depart from this world, you can be sure that you will be in good company – saints, angels, martyrs, etc. – all worshipping God, the supreme Judge and Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Saviour. We will be constantly feasting in heaven and our happiness will have no end because the Holy Spirit will be everywhere.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 31, Issue 2

<< Thursday, February 5, 2015 >>

St. Agatha

Hebrews 12:18-19, 21-24
View Readings

Psalm 48:2-4, 9-11

Mark 6:7-13
Similar Reflections

TALKING BLOOD

"You have drawn near...to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks more eloquently than that of Abel." —Hebrews 12:22, 24

Pope John Paul II has taught: "This blood, which flows from the pierced side of Christ on the Cross (cf Jn 19:34), 'speaks more graciously' than the blood of Abel; indeed, it expresses and requires a more radical 'justice,' and above all it implores mercy, it makes intercession for the brethren before the Father (cf Heb 7:25), and it is the source of perfect redemption and the gift of new life" (The Gospel of Life, 25).

This is a golden age of martyrdom. Pope St. John Paul II wrote: "At the end of the second millennium, the Church has once again become a Church of martyrs. The persecutions of believers...[have] caused a great sowing of martyrdom in different parts of the world. The witness to Christ [is] borne even to the shedding of blood" (Towards the Third Millennium, 37). Like Abel's blood, the blood of the martyrs cries out for justice. "They cried out...: 'How long will it be, O Master, holy and true, before You judge our cause and avenge our blood?' " (Rv 6:10) Like Jesus' blood, the blood of the martyrs cries out for us: "Lord, have mercy!"

Because of the hundreds of millions of surgical and chemical abortions committed each year in the world, we live in oceans of innocent, shed blood (cf 2 Kgs 21:16). The blood of these babies cries out with Jesus' blood for mercy on the people of the culture of death (The Gospel of Life, 25). The blood of Abel, Jesus, martyrs, and babies is crying. By repentance, wash your robes "in the blood of the Lamb," Jesus (Rv 7:14). Receive the mercy of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, when I receive Your precious Body and Blood in Holy Communion (see Jn 6:53ff), may I receive and give mercy.

Promise: "They expelled many demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures." —Mk 6:13

Praise: St. Peter denied Christ three times. St. Agatha, as she was being tortured, was asked three times to deny Christ. She held fast to Jesus each time and received the crown of life (see Rv 2:10).