During World War II, in a Nazi concentration camp, cruel doctors experimented on the most effective way to crush the human spirit. They thought of removing every remaining shred of physical comfort. So they removed chairs, beds and extra clothes in the prison cells. The prisoners suffered, but they survived.

       Next, the prison guards cut the food ration to half and increased their work to 16 hours a day. Again, the prisoners suffered tremendously, but they survived.

       Then the Nazis tried one last experiment. One morning, the prison guards asked the prisoners to dig a hole in the ground. So

the entire day, with shovels and pickax and wheelbarrow, they made a gigantic hole. The next day, the prison guards asked the prisoners to cover the hole again. The prisoners were perplexed, but they obeyed. Every day, the guards asked them to do the very opposite of what they did the previous day. On and on it went.

       The result? Two weeks later, the prisoners began to die one by one. Why? More than our need for food, comfort or sleep, we need purpose. We need the tension of purpose. When our tasks have no more purpose, something in us dies.

Reflection: When there is no purpose, there is no pull. Where there is no target, there is no tension.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, virgin, Patroness of the Missions, pray for us.

Today is the feast day of the “Little Flower,” St. Therese of Lisieux. Her nickname was inspired by her life — her way to heaven was very short and humble. She championed humility and love as the foundation of the spiritual life. She lived these two graces to the full, even though she hardly saw anything of the world outside her family home and the walls of her convent. She gained popularity as an inspiration to many, who live similarly simple lives.

Nehemiah 8:1-4, 5-6, 7-12

1 The whole people gathered as one in the open space before the Water Gate, and they called upon Ezra the scribe to bring forth the book of the law of Moses which the Lord prescribed for Israel. 2 On the first day of the seventh month, therefore, Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly, which consisted of men, women, and those children old enough to understand. 3 Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate, he read out of the book from daybreak until midday, in the presence of the men, the women, and those children old enough to understand; and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. 5 He opened the scroll so that all the people might see it (for he was standing higher up than any of the people); and, as he opened it, all the people rose. 6 Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people, their hands raised high, answered, “Amen, amen!” Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the Lord, their faces to the ground. 7 As the people remained in their places, 8 Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God, interpreting it so that all could understand what was read. 9 Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people: “Today is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep,” for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. 10 He said further: “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” 11 And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Hush, for today is holy, and you must not be saddened.” 12 Then all the people went to eat and drink, to distribute portions, and to celebrate with great joy, for they understood the words that had been expounded to them.

R: The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

7 [8] The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple. (R) 8 [9] The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the command of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eye. (R) 9 [10] The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true, all of them just. (R) 10 [11] They are more precious than gold, than a heap of purest gold; sweeter also than syrup or honey from the comb. (R)

St. Therese wanted to be a great missionary. She was sent to the new mission field of French Southeast Asia. She never left her convent. She wanted to be a priest but as a woman, that road was closed to her. She wanted to be a martyr and she became one in her convent. In fact, Therese was both a priest and a missionary within her convent. She discovered that her mission was to love those with whom she lived. And as priests according to our baptism, we sanctify the world in which we live through our good works.

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

1 Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ 10 Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. 12 I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

think: We sanctify the world in which we live through our good works.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Proverbs 9-12

PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT

The ultimate purpose of my life

GOALS FOR THE QUARTER

Priority areas God wants me to work on

CHRISTIANS AS JOYFUL MISSIONARY DISCIPLES

In November 2013, Pope Francis issued the Apostolic Letter “Evangelii Gaudium” (The Joy of the Gospel). He mentions the word “joy” 59 times. This is amazing because many Catholics do not find joy in their religion. They see it as a joykiller because of the many commandments and prohibitions. No wonder most Catholics are not eager to share their faith with others.

       Pope Francis emphasizes on the word “joy,” saying that we are supposed to live out the “Good” News. Today’s Gospel passage reminds us that we are not only disciples of Christ but also His missionaries. Pope Francis writes, “Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: We no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries,” but rather that we are always  “missionary disciples… Our falling short of perfection should be no excuse; on the contrary, mission is a constant stimulus not to remain mired in mediocrity but to continue growing.”

       To be a missionary disciple, one needs to be in love with Christ, to know Christ and His love and mercy, and to be full of enthusiasm and joy.

       On October 4, 2013, Pope Francis told the cloistered nuns of St. Claire in Assisi, “I am so disappointed when I meet nuns who are joyless, who may smile with the smile of a flight attendant but not with the smile of joy that comes from within.”

       That applies not only to nuns but to all Catholics who are called to be missionary disciples like the 72 whom Jesus sent out to proclaim the Good News. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you filled with inner joy because you are a Christian? Does your faith make you joyful?

Lord, help me to focus on the joy that You want to fill me with. May this inner joy help me to share the Good News of Your love with my fellowmen.