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Christ had given the apostles a world-wide commission, embracing all the nations; but intellectually they did not understand what He meant. They found that out as they followed the impulse of the Spirit.
- Roland Allen (1869-1947), Pentecost and the World
(Following the "impulse of the Spirit." Where are you being led at this time?)
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Heb 8:6-13; Psalm 85:8 and 10, 11-12, 13-14
Mk 3:13-19
Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted
and they came to him.
He appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles,
that they might be with him
and he might send them forth to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons:
He appointed the Twelve:
Simon, whom he named Peter;
James, son of Zebedee,
and John the brother of James, whom he named Boanerges,
that is, sons of thunder;
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus;
Thaddeus, Simon the Cananean,
and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture
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“He named twelve as His companions whom He would send to preach the good news; they were likewise to have authority to expel demons.” —Mark 3:14-15
This week we are involved in a series of celebrations of those who suffered bloody martyrdoms for Jesus. Saints Fabian, Sebastian, Agnes, and Vincent followed in Jesus’ footsteps, choosing to be killed rather than kill. Today we also recall the most disastrous judicial decision in American history, the legalizing of abortion in the United States on January 22, 1973. At this moment, the Lord challenges us to choose life (Dt
30:19-20).
However, to choose life for others we must often choose death for ourselves. Jesus chose to die so that we, once His enemies, could live and become His friends (Jn 15:14, 15; cf Rm 5:10). We must choose to die to self so others can live, to be transformed from death-dealing to self-dying.
At least half the apostles were into violence, hatred, and murder. Peter attacked Malchus with a sword (Jn 18:10). John and James wanted to burn a city of Samaritans (Lk 9:54). Bartholomew (Nathanael) was a bigot (Jn 1:46). Matthew the tax collector possibly used extortion to help him collect taxes. Simon the Zealot was a member of a violent, revolutionary group. (Today we would call them terrorists.) Nonetheless, Jesus
changed these violent people. He will change us, if we’re willing to die to ourselves and repent, so that others may live.
Prayer: Father, use my life and death to save the lives of children in the womb.
Promise: “He is Mediator of a better covenant.” —Heb 8:6
Presentation Ministries
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Abandonment to Divine Providence
- by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
BOOK II,
CHAPTER IV. CONCERNING THE ASSISTANCE RENDERED BY THE FATHERLY PROVIDENCE OF GOD TO THOSE SOULS WHO HAVE ABANDONED THEMSELVES TO HIM
SECTION IV. The Most Ordinary Things are Channels of Grace.
In the state of abandonment God guides the soul more safely the more completely He seems to blind it.
It is the nature of abandonment always to lead a mysterious life, and to receive great and miraculous gifts from God by means of the most ordinary things, things that may be natural, accidental, or that seem to happen by chance, and in which there seems no other agency than the ordinary course of the ways of the world, or of the elements. In this way the simplest sermons, the most commonplace conversations, and the least
high-toned books, become to these souls, by the virtue of God's will, sources of knowledge and wisdom. This is why they carefully gather up the crumbs that skeptics trample underfoot. Everything is precious in their eyes, everything enriches them. They are inexpressibly indifferent towards all things, and yet neglect nothing, having a respect for, and making use of all things. As God is everywhere, the use made of things by His will is not so much the use of creatures, as the enjoyment of the
divine action which transmits His gifts by different channels. They cannot sanctify of themselves, but only as instruments of the divine action, which has power to communicate His grace, and often does communicate it to simple souls in ways and by means which seem opposed to the end intended. It enlightens through mud as well as through glass, and the instrument of which it makes use is always singular. To it everything is alike. Faith always believes that nothing is wanting to it, and never
complains of the privation of means which might prove useful for its increase, because the Workman, who employs them efficaciously, supplies what is wanting by His action. The divine action is the whole virtue of the creature.
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