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The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion, but, on the contrary, of its liberality and humanity. It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted: precisely because most things are permitted, and only a few things are forbidden.
- Gilbert Keith G. K. Chesterton
("Sin not, and do as you wish," goes an old saying. Enjoy the freedom of a child of God this day.)
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HOS 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; PS 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
MT 10:1-7
Jesus summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
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;
Philip and Bartholomew,
Thomas and Matthew the tax collector;
James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus;
Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot
who betrayed Jesus.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
“Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town.
Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“Break up for yourselves a new field.” —Hosea 10:12
Breaking up a new field (Hos 10:12) is very hard work. Since the field is new, the soil has not been cleared or tilled. Breaking up a new field involves a large initial investment of time and exhausting labor. There are trees and large rocks to clear out. You finally get the field cleared and then you begin to “break up” the soil, that is, plow the field. Then you hit a large rock, a stump, or a root beneath the
soil. This obstacle stops you, and you must get dirty, personally interacting with the soil. It is messy, time-consuming toil. In addition, we cannot quit. We must put our hand to the plow and not look back (Lk 9:62).
Scripture often compares evangelization with this type of laborious toil (see Mt 13:24, 30; Mk 4:3, 29). You meet a person to whom the Lord is calling you to witness, heal, and disciple. Often before you can share the Word of God with them, you need to “break up” the field of his or her heart. You spend time with them and encounter an obstacle, such as a rock-hard heart or a deep-rooted belief in falsehoods. You
might encounter a buried stump, such as a shattered relationship that has closed the person to the Good News. Like the plowman, you must interact with the person to help remove the obstacle. It is difficult and discouraging work.
However, as you plow, keep in mind that you are not alone. Jesus plows with you (Mt 11:29-30). Put your hand to the plow (Lk 9:62). Break up a new field (Hos 10:12).
Prayer: Father, remove the swords of anger from my heart and the hearts of all those to whom I minister. Help us to “beat [these] swords into plowshares” (Is 2:4). Thy kingdom come! (Mt 6:10)
Promise: “He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth His judgments prevail.” —Ps 105:7
Presentation Ministries
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Poems from the Little Flower of Jesus: Saint Therese of Lisieux
- by Athanasius Press, 2018
Part One: To Live of Love
"If any man love Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. . . My peace I give unto you . . . Abide in My love."
(St. John 14:23, 27, -- 15:9)
8.
To live of love it is to sail afar
And bring both peace and joy where'er I be.
O Pilot blest! love is my guiding star;
In every soul I meet, Thyself I see.
Safe sail I on, through wind or rain or ice;
Love urges me, love conquers every gale.
High on my mast behold is my device:
"By love I sail!"
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Paperback
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