A Good Deed, Big Or Small

14th Sunday In Ordinary Time
08 July 2007





First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place, where he himself was to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is rich, but the workers are few. So you must ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest. Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Set off without purse or bag or sandals; and do no stop at the homes of those you know. Whatever house you enter, first bless them saying, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a friend of peace lives there, the peace shall rest upon that person. But if not, the blessing will return to you. Stay in that house eating and drinking at their table, for the worker deserves to be paid. Do not move from house to house.

When they welcome you in any town, eat what they offer you. Heal the sick who are there and say to them,” The Kingdom of God has drawn near to you.” But in any town where you are not welcome, go to the marketplace and proclaim,”Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off and leave with you. But know and be sure that the kingdom of God has come to you.” I tell you that on the Judgment Day it will be better for Sodom than for this town.

The seventy-two disciples returned full of joy. They said, “Lord even the demons obeyed us when we called on your name” Then Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. You see, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the Enemy, so that nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.”

Reflection
By Anabelle Payod-Balla

I always thank the Lord for that day when He allowed me to start knowing Him through his devoted servant, Ate Carmen, my first religion teacher. She inspired me with her passion to talk about God, to sing and be joyful about His magnificence and to introduce Jesus to young people like me. She was instrumental in helping me find my way to a very satisfying and unforgettable religious life in St Joseph de Gagalangin Parish in Tondo. She invited me to join the Legion of Mary where I first learned the word “apostleship” (which means 'good deeds done'). Every time we have meetings in Legion of Mary, we are being asked what “apostleship” we have done for that week and everyone would share any good things they did, big or small like washing dishes to help mother at home, they all count! All of us are considered apostles!

Part of our apostleship is to share the good news of God to our less fortunate friends in some areas in Gagalangin. I found great joy in doing this not only because I was able to introduce God to other people but because I also realized that as I talked about Him, the more I get to know and love Him. And the more I experience indescribable and lasting joy! This might be the reason why many from the few disciples I am fortunate to have met are shining in God’s glory. They are happy deep within, their souls aglow!

I believe there are more than enough disciples of God if we count ourselves in. Yes that's you and me! I believe that we don’t have to be a priest or a missionary to be called disciples. We have the freedom and the choice to deliberately do good things to our brothers and sisters for the glory of God! If we stumble and fall, don’t lose heart because God promised in the First Reading this week (Is 66:10-14), “As a son comforted by his mother, I will comfort you.” God’s comfort is surely more than enough to overcome the challenges we face as we do the work of a devoted disciple of Jesus. And like Ate Carmen, let us take joy in bringing Jesus to others. Let us also emulate Paul who in his letter to the Galatians (Second reading), said, “For me, I do not wish to take pride in anything except in the cross of Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Imagine the number of people you’ll help save from the fires of hell through the good things you do each day of your life.

And imagine the time when your name is written in heaven.

Father, as Your children, we know we are destined to be better than we are today. We can grow more and do many good things to others and to ourselves if we choose to. Please help us to grow the “Disciple of Jesus” within us. And allow others to feel Your love through us so that we can bring more people in Your embrace. Amen.

A good deed, big or small, is an act of a disciple. Do more!