My Travel Buddy is Christ

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

15 July 2018

First reading                                                                     Amos 7:12-15
Amaziah said to Amos, “O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, earn your bread there, and prophesy there; but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.” Then Amos answered Amaziah, “I am no prophet, nor a prophet’s son; but I am a herdsman, and a dresser of sycamore trees, and the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.'”

Second reading                                                     Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 6:7-13

Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

Reflection

By Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

In Girl Scouting, we always teach our girls to pack light and to bring only the necessary whenever they attend camps, seminars, or any other Girl Scout's activities. We also advise them to practice buddy system where two girls are partnered and go together especially during hiking or outside the camp tours. These practices aim to deepen the connection of our girls to the nature and community they are in, as well as to make them realize that two heads are better than one and unity is indeed important.

After reading and reflecting on today's Gospel, I understand that Girl Scout’s practices originated from Jesus’ way of sending His disciples as written by St. Mark. “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.” It is clear that Jesus taught His disciples to live simply, to not worry of anything along the journey, and to trust His will wholeheartedly. Because it was Jesus who sent them, graces will be on their way as they are assured of shelter, a house that will welcome them. Therefore, they will be able to drive out demons, anoint the sick with oil and cure them. However, Jesus also warned them of the people that will not believe them. In spite of unbelievers, they must continue the mission that Jesus has given them.

Mission is also the calling to all of us. We are this generation's new disciples. With the Bible teachings at hand, priests that shepherd us, and the Catholic Church that we belong to, we are properly armed to do the mission of proclaiming Jesus' promised salvation. We should not become weary of things that might transpire because Jesus will provide and surely intervene. We are called to be brave, stand up for, and share our faith. God gives us each other to be our companions in the mission. Just like our travel buddies when we visit places of attraction, we are mission buddies as we go beyond borders and reach distant people.

As the First Reading tells us about Amos who was an ordinary shepherd and dresser of sycamores but was called by God to prophesy, we too, out of our ordinary lives are chosen to spread God’s Good News. The Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians makes us also aware that through Jesus Christ’s redemption, we are forgiven of our transgressions and we are destined for God's adoption.

So, as we get excited about the promo fares of airlines, may we also be enthusiastic to book and send ourselves to mission, as we are all baptized to become missionary disciples.

Prayer

Lord, help me in fulfilling my mission of proclaiming Your goodness. And may I become a seasoned missionary like Your Son, Jesus Christ, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In His Name. Amen.