Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions, Martyrs
Biographical Information about Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions
Readings for Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
The Prophet Hosea speaks of the relationship between secular success and the erosion of faith. The people have moved away from the fidelity demanded by God’s covenant. The oracle of Hosea predicts the destruction of these places of false worship and finally exhorts them to return (“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field”).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
This section of Psalm 105, a song of thanksgiving, recalls God’s covenant with Abraham, the promise of the Land of Canaan and calls for continued faithfulness.
Gospel Matthew 10:1-7
Following yesterday’s instructions to the twelve, Jesus now sends them out. St. Matthew’s Gospel does not tell the stories of how they were called, but provides the names and mission. It is only in Matthew that the twelve are designated as Apostles reflecting the mission and role they fulfill. They are then sent, but only to the “chosen people”. It is not until after Christ’s death and resurrection that the Gospel is brought to the Gentiles.
Reflection:
There is an old saying in business: “If you don’t plan to do something in a given period of time, you will do nothing.” That, of course, is an exaggeration, but it has an element of truth in it. If today we simply react to what happens, the events of the day will guide us to some conclusion. If on the other hand, we have a plan to accomplish a specific goal or action; it is likely we can accomplish at least that one thing.
In the Gospel today Jesus prepares his friends, giving them his authority, and then sends his disciples into the surrounding towns and villages. He needs to make sure that his mission and work will be carried on. He starts simple – he sends them only to the Jews, people of the disciple’s own faith and race. His “Good News” must be spread and he can’t do it all alone and not violate the gift of free will. (Let’s face it, if God wanted us all to be absolutely faithful, he could have made us that way, without free will, without the ability to choose to accept, or reject his grace.)
We have all heard this story many times before and we all can feel the lesson contained within it. As he sent his disciples out into the world, he also sends us – his work is far from complete. Each day we may go out the door full of intentions to do just as the Lord asks, to take the news that “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” to those we meet so they too can have hope. Some days that happens and some days it does not.
Part of the reason we do not accomplish more is that we do not have a simple goal. Today, let’s take on a simple task. Let’s look for the opportunity to call just one person’s attention to God and all he hopes for us. Either by word, by action or some combination, let’s try to bring the love of God to just one person.
Now some may say “That’s too hard for me. I could never just go up to a person at work, at school, or on the street and start talking about how wonderful God has been to me or what a blessing we have been given.” If that feeling is there, how about trying to bring God to a member of your own family or one of your closest friends? Jesus sent his disciples after the easy crowd first. Can we try that? For the rest of this week, let’s try that each day – just find one person to whom we can bring the love of God. It is, after all, what Christ calls us to do.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Lost Lamb” by Del Parson, contemporary artist
Biographical Information about Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his Companions
Readings for Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
The Prophet Hosea speaks of the relationship between secular success and the erosion of faith. The people have moved away from the fidelity demanded by God’s covenant. The oracle of Hosea predicts the destruction of these places of false worship and finally exhorts them to return (“Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; break up for yourselves a new field”).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. Seek always the face of the Lord.
This section of Psalm 105, a song of thanksgiving, recalls God’s covenant with Abraham, the promise of the Land of Canaan and calls for continued faithfulness.
Gospel Matthew 10:1-7
Following yesterday’s instructions to the twelve, Jesus now sends them out. St. Matthew’s Gospel does not tell the stories of how they were called, but provides the names and mission. It is only in Matthew that the twelve are designated as Apostles reflecting the mission and role they fulfill. They are then sent, but only to the “chosen people”. It is not until after Christ’s death and resurrection that the Gospel is brought to the Gentiles.
Reflection:
There is an old saying in business: “If you don’t plan to do something in a given period of time, you will do nothing.” That, of course, is an exaggeration, but it has an element of truth in it. If today we simply react to what happens, the events of the day will guide us to some conclusion. If on the other hand, we have a plan to accomplish a specific goal or action; it is likely we can accomplish at least that one thing.
In the Gospel today Jesus prepares his friends, giving them his authority, and then sends his disciples into the surrounding towns and villages. He needs to make sure that his mission and work will be carried on. He starts simple – he sends them only to the Jews, people of the disciple’s own faith and race. His “Good News” must be spread and he can’t do it all alone and not violate the gift of free will. (Let’s face it, if God wanted us all to be absolutely faithful, he could have made us that way, without free will, without the ability to choose to accept, or reject his grace.)
We have all heard this story many times before and we all can feel the lesson contained within it. As he sent his disciples out into the world, he also sends us – his work is far from complete. Each day we may go out the door full of intentions to do just as the Lord asks, to take the news that “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” to those we meet so they too can have hope. Some days that happens and some days it does not.
Part of the reason we do not accomplish more is that we do not have a simple goal. Today, let’s take on a simple task. Let’s look for the opportunity to call just one person’s attention to God and all he hopes for us. Either by word, by action or some combination, let’s try to bring the love of God to just one person.
Now some may say “That’s too hard for me. I could never just go up to a person at work, at school, or on the street and start talking about how wonderful God has been to me or what a blessing we have been given.” If that feeling is there, how about trying to bring God to a member of your own family or one of your closest friends? Jesus sent his disciples after the easy crowd first. Can we try that? For the rest of this week, let’s try that each day – just find one person to whom we can bring the love of God. It is, after all, what Christ calls us to do.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture used today is “Lost Lamb” by Del Parson, contemporary artist
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