Notice how “dreaded skin diseases” were lumped in with curing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons? They don’t seem as serious, yet Jesus clustered skin diseases along with the other more serious matters. This hit home! Because my husband went through more than a decade of struggling with severe skin eczema, while I’ve been suffering from a two-month-old skin rash that no medication has cured. So I’m consulting an integrative doctor to identify the possible root causes. 

It may appear to be just a skin disease, but epidermic concerns have internal causes. It may indicate that the body is unwell. It makes sense why Jesus included it in the list: it may be skin-deep, but it can dynamically affect our total being.

The skin speaks to us and signals other physiological, psychological, and maybe even spiritual concerns. The body is one. When the skin calls our attention, don’t scratch the surface! Heed its symptoms and go beyond! Michele S. Alignay (ichel.alignay@gmail.com)

Reflect:

What could your skin or other body illnesses be telling you about your well-being? 

Jesus, help us to listen to our body. Help us explore beyond skin-deep what we need You to heal and restore in our being.

Saint Benedict, abbot, pray for us.

God assures His people that He does not wish to destroy them. In fact, it is sin that destroys us. The wages of sin is death, and we have reaped these wages many times in life. Did we not learn from our experience? This has something to do with the seductive nature of evil and how it can present itself as good. When faced with difficult moral choices, let us pray for the grace to discern the difference and to stay on the side of truth and righteousness. 

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. 

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 80:2, 3, 15-16

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) 

Gospel | Matthew 10:7-15

The effectiveness of our preaching relies on two things. First is the integrity of our proclamation. Let us live the truths we proclaim and avoid hypocrisy. The second is the hands of the Holy Spirit. He ensures that the hearts of those to whom we proclaim the Gospel are ready to hear it. He also convicts them of the truth of the Gospel. 

Gospel Acclamation

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.” 

Reflect:

Is your way of life aligned to the Gospel you proclaim? How do you “walk the talk” in every area of your life? 

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 21 - 25 today.

After electing the Twelve whom He will send for mission, Jesus gives an “orientation talk” to the group. The vision must be clear: “The Kingdom of God is at hand.” The mission is articulated: in order to witness to the Kingdom of heaven now at hand, the Twelve must proclaim the Kingdom and demonstrate the effectiveness of the Kingdom through powerful signs.

Jesus even underlines what must be the tone of the work in the mission. Grace: grace-filled, gracious, grace-no-matter-what ways. There are two aspects about living according to grace:

Grace on provisions. Jesus instructs the Apostles to avoid anxiety over needs. He asks them to travel light—not to bring too much money, clothes, etc. These are needed, but God will provide through the goodness and generosity of people touched by the proclamation of the Good News. As the Apostles teach about faith and trust in God, they will have to be living demonstrations of life that relies on faith and trust.

Grace in justice. Against the human tendency to get even, Jesus’ words are clear—always wish and do things in peace even when one is not appreciated. God sees, and He will be our justice. We leave things in His hands. I think there is no better exemplification of this than Jesus Himself.

Mercy is “grace in justice.” Pope Francis wrote in the book The Name of God Is Mercy that mercy is more than forgiveness. Forgiveness involves the erasure of guilt, but mercy waits not for the erasure of guilt. Even as guilt remains, mercy is given—as in the case of Jesus telling the adulterous woman: “Neither do I condemn you; go . . .” Mercy is deciding to give what Pope Francis calls a “space for life” in the midst of anything and everything. This decision is unconditional, leaving issues and concerns in the hands of God. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

Reflection Question:

Do you find it easy to entrust events where you are taken disadvantage of to God’s graceful way? What is your greatest consolation then?

How challenging it is to live in grace, Lord. And yet, how freeing too! May I be able to live it, Lord. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________