The humblest and the most unseen activity in the world can be the true worship of God… Work and worship literally become one. Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever; and we carry out that function when we do what God sent us into the world to do… Work well done rises like a hymn of praise to eternal God.
- William Barclay (1907-1978), The Revelation of John, v. I
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HEB 12:18-19, 21-24; PS 48:2-3AB, 3CD-4, 9, 10-11
MK 6:7-13
Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two
and gave them authority over unclean spirits.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick
–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic.
He said to them,
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.
Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,
leave there and shake the dust off your feet
in testimony against them."
So they went off and preached repentance.
The Twelve drove out many demons,
and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection on the Scriptures |
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives the 12 disciples some rather stern marching orders: They are sent out, two by two, to drive out demons and preach repentance, but they are not allowed to take anything for the journey but a walking stick–no food, no sack, no money in their belts. At least Jesus let them wear sandals, but only the tunic on their backs. A second one was not allowed. .
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Sadly, in today’s world, it seems the two things headed for extinction are communicating with strangers and trusting in their innate goodness. Our culture is becoming polarized and all too often focused on talking only to people with whom we share a small view of the world and distrusting everyone else’s view or comment. Maybe if we were willing to embark on a pilgrimage such as the 12 did and the novices
still do, without out all the “baggage” we carry with us of preconceived notions, we might be able to communicate more openly with others and realize that we need their trust and understanding as much as they need ours.
- Steve Ryan Scholer
Revelations of Divine Love
- by Julian of Norwich
Fourteenth Revelation, Chapter 55
“Christ is our Way”—”Mankind shall be restored from double death”
Our Faith cometh of the natural Love of our soul, and of the clear light of our Reason, and of the steadfast Mind which we have from God in our first making. And what time that our soul is inspired into our body, in which we are made sensual, so soon mercy and grace begin to work, having of us care and keeping with pity and love: in which working the Holy Ghost formeth, in our Faith, Hope that we shall come again up above
to our Substance, into the Virtue of Christ, increased and fulfilled through the Holy Ghost. Thus I understood that the sense-soul is grounded in Nature, in Mercy, and in Grace: which Ground enableth us to receive gifts that lead us to endless life.
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