Readings:
Genesis 44:18-21,23-29,45:1-5
Matthew 10:7-15
Reflection:
In today’s Gospel, Christ instructs his disciples to proclaim the message: “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He empowers them to cure the sick, to raise the dead, to cure lepers, and to drive out demons.
He tells them to travel lightly and to rely on the generosity of those whom they will be serving.
As disciples of Christ today, we are commissioned to continue his work of caring for the sick in mind and body, those who are struggling, to share joy, hope, and comfort with those we encounter daily.
We receive much at no charge, our only debt being free to share these gifts and graces with others. The manifestations of these graces may seem insignificant to us: lending a helping hand, visiting someone who is sick or lonely or grieving, or simply smiling at an individual we pass in the supermarket. As disciples, we need to be alert to opportunities to share in the abundance we receive from Christ, so let’s be generous with our smiles, our laughter, our love, and our attention!
Brian Norman has been associated with the Passionists in various ways since he was three weeks old when he squared off with Fr Placid Millay CP over the baptismal font at St Brigid’s, Marrickville.