“My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred.” – Hosea 11:8

       It was way past midnight and my sister, Manang Mita, and I were still on the phone ironing out the final details. We were both  excited over our partnership that was finally going to bear fruit the following day.

       I’m not a morning person, so getting up before 5 a.m. to be on time for my 6 a.m. appointment was no mean feat. There I was at the Lifestyle Medicard Center, bright and early, to meet our first set of beneficiaries. Jonathan, a three-month-old infant, was the first to go, followed by two-year-old Princess, and finally, eight-year-old Jumar.

       The mothers in the waiting room were all excited and anxious at the same time. But they had nothing to fear, because their children were under the skillful hands of Benny, a top surgeon of the Makati Medical Center. The Lord used Benny that day to change the lives of three harelipped children forever.

       Like Benny, let us allow ourselves to be used by God as instruments in changing somebody else’s life.

       “Imis ka la!” Mari Sison-Garcia (mari_sison_garcia@yahoo.com)

Reflection: It is a great privilege to be used as God’s instrument in changing another person’s life for good. Grab the opportunity when it comes.

Lord, we thank You for allowing us to serve You through others. Our hearts are overwhelmed and our pity is stirred.

St. Veronica Giuliani, pray for us.

The language of love is used for God’s relationship with His people again. It is a beautiful image as we all know a good mother would do anything for her child. And Hosea promises more than this — that the further we stray from God, the harder He works to call and win us back to Himself. Here is an image of a relationship of love that serves as a wonderful example to us and the people we love.

1 Thus says the Lord: When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called them, the farther they went from me, sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, who took them in my arms; 4 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. 8 My heart is overwhelmed, my pity is stirred. 9 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.

R: Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.

2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken. From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 3 Rouse your power. (R) 15 Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, 16 and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R)

Jesus gives His marching orders to His disciples as He sends them out to proclaim the Gospel. I like to meditate on the fact that He sends them out with very little — a far cry from all the luxuries and gadgets people travel with today. Jesus wants us to be totally dependent on Him for all our needs when we do the work of the Gospel. That way, we will have no doubt that the source of our success is Him.

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

7 Jesus said to his Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. 9 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; 10 no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter a house, wish it peace. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. 14 Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words — go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. 15 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.”

think:  The further we stray from God, the harder He works to call and win us back to Himself.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 2 Chronicles 22-24

A TOUGH MISSION

After yesterday’s initial instructions of Jesus to the Twelve Apostles, today’s Gospel continues with even more detailed directives for them.

       There is a bold, provocative and unconventional quality to the mission given to the Twelve, such that it can be considered tough or even edgy. There is a sense of urgency to it, too. No material concerns should disturb it, and any opposition on the part of people should only push the Apostles to move on and transfer to another place. Indeed, there is a lot to do, there is an innate power and effectiveness to the mission itself, and there is a need both for confidence in Divine Providence and for self-sacrificing generosity.

       That is what the Reign of God demands, especially of us now who are also commissioned by the Lord to spread it in the world. It is already at hand. Are we ready and willing to sign up and join in promoting it further? The coverage is big, the work load is heavy, the marketing strategy is best described as no nonsense, and the salary isn’t much. But we can always count on the support and guidance of our “Boss,” no less than Jesus Christ Himself, who empowers us in the first place.

       Shall we apply for the job? We have already been chosen and recruited by the Lord — we just have to pick up our marching orders ASAP from Him. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: What are you doing for the Kingdom of God? What mission has God entrusted to you?

May I be courageous enough to carry out Your mission for me, Lord.