“As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of God is at hand.’” – Matthew 10:7

       OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) pursue the promise of a better life in foreign lands. They endure the loneliness of being away from their families and cope with living in a totally new environment. Their remittances help keep the Philippine economy afloat and they are hailed as the new heroes of the country.

       OFWs bring their skills and their faith wherever they go. In Europe, they fill the otherwise empty churches. We hear stories of conversion of their spouses when they get married to foreign nationals and eventually raise Catholic children. Children who tag along with their Filipino nannies to church also influence their parents.

       “In every corner of the world, there is a Filipino and there is Christmas,” heralds a local network’s season ID. Our traditional Simbang Gabi has started to gain ground in some US parishes. Non-Filipino churchgoers claim to have a better appreciation of the Christmas season because of the nine-day novena. OFWs are the new ambassadors of the Church spreading the message of God. Marie Franco (mariefranco_pie@yahoo.com)

Reflection: We can be the Lord’s present-day apostles whenever others see His image and likeness in us through our actions.

Dear Lord, guide my thoughts, my words, and my deeds so that I can proclaim Your kingdom in my own little way.

St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions, pray for us.

1 Israel is a luxuriant vine whose fruit matches its growth. The more abundant his fruit, the more altars he built; the more productive his land, the more sacred pillars he set up. 2 Their heart is false, now they pay for their guilt; God shall break down their altars and destroy their sacred pillars. 3 If they would say, “We have no king” — since they do not fear the Lord, what can the king do for them? 7 The king of Samaria shall disappear, like foam upon the waters. 8 The high places of Aven shall be destroyed, the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles shall overgrow their altars. Then they shall cry out to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall upon us!” 12 “Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain down justice upon you.”

R: Seek always the face of the Lord.

2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! (R) 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R)

It makes sense to choose to proclaim the Gospel to those who are ready to accept it as this means more people will help in proclaiming the Gospel to the more difficult audiences. The Gospel message is for all people — no one is excluded. Only the individual can exclude his or her self from receiving the Gospel by rejecting it. Let us pray that we will never do that.

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.

1 Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 2 The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. 5 Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”

think:  The Gospel message is for all people — no one is excluded.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 19-21

APOSTLES, MARTYRS, CHRISTIANS:

ALL OF AND IN CHRIST

Today’s Gospel episode consists of the calling and choosing of the Twelve Apostles, their names, and the first instructions that Jesus gives them. All these indicate a certain “constitutionality” in the Twelve. They are like a judicially established group, which nevertheless doesn’t mean that they are closed in on themselves. The mission given to them shows that they are not for themselves alone. Although it is true that Jesus’ instruction to them is for them to start their ministry with “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” theirs is an openness which launches them always outward. And the list of the Apostles goes on across the centuries and until the present day.

       The saints are like extensions or successors of the Apostles. They have been raised by God, in response to definite times and situations in history. As a matter of fact, today is the liturgical memorial of a big group of martyrs, led by St. Augustine Zhao Rong. He was a Chinese diocesan priest who was killed, along with 119 of his companions, in the year 1815. Among their number was a teenager, an 18-year-old boy by the name of Chi Zhuzi. This brave young man cried out to those who had just cut off his right arm and were preparing to flay him alive: “Every piece of my flesh, every drop of my blood will tell you that I am a Christian.”

       Such an astonishing conviction proves the underlying tenet which every saint, every apostle, and indeed every Christian holds on to: that we are all of and in Christ Himself (“Christian”). The last three letters seem to form an acronym, should they be separated from the name Christ: i, a, and n. And we take these initials to stand for “I am nothing” — without Christ, that is. Only with and in Jesus do we have our identity, our being, and our courage to bear witness to Him. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: At this point in your life, can you honestly say that, without Christ, you are nothing?

Please don’t let go of my hand, Lord, even when I sometimes seem to be trying to break free from You.