Shake It Off

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

11 July 2021 

 

First Reading: AM 7:12-15

Responsorial Psalm: 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Second Reading: EPH 1:3-14 or 1:3-10

Gospel: MK 6:7-13

 

Reflection

By: Grace Madrinan

 

"Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send him out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits". - Mark 6:7

I have not experienced being summoned and sent on a mission as serious as the disciples on the Gospel. The closest assignment that I can recall was giving flyers to passersby inside the mall and inviting them to our Catholic prayer community called The Feast. Unfortunately, I was received with offending stares or ignored completely.

How much more difficult it must have been with the disciples back then, to think that they are dependent on the hospitality of the town they are visiting. Surely not everyone is welcoming an unfamiliar teaching. But just like Jesus had instructed, "Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them (Mark 6:11)". So the disciples went on with their task, shrugged off the rejections and moved on. And because of their perseverance, "They drove out demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them (Mark 6:13)".

My task may not be as grand as the disciples, but I would like to believe that even with the littlest task I did for the community, I had somehow contributed to spread the Gospel. It is good to note that despite the rejections I experienced, there were also some who responded positively to the flyers I was distributing. Some of those we engaged in conversation were even happy to learn that there was a nearby Feast community that they could join.

I believe this is the message of today's Gospel. We have to carry on with the job regardless of how we are received by society. For as long as we know that we are an instrument to God's plan, we just need to shake off the rejections and focus on the mission at hand. Just like what Mark 4:26-27 says, "...it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land . Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how". We just need to spread His Word and trust that He will make it grow.

 

Prayer

 

Dear God, though we are unworthy, we thank You that You have entrusted us to spread the Gospel. Guide us and give us the courage to pursue the task at hand regardless of the outcome. Amen.

 

 

The Chosen One

First Reading: Amos 7:12-15

To Amos himself Amaziah said, 'Go away, seer, take yourself off to Judah, earn your living there, and there you can prophesy! But never again will you prophesy at Bethel, for this is a royal sanctuary, a national temple.' 'I am not a prophet,' Amos replied to Amaziah, 'nor do I belong to a prophetic brotherhood. I am merely a herdsman and dresser of sycamore-figs. But Yahweh took me as I followed the flock, and Yahweh said to me, "Go and prophesy to my people Israel."

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ. Thus he chose us in Christ before the world was made to be holy and faultless before him in love, marking us out for himself beforehand, to be adopted sons, through Jesus Christ. Such was his purpose and good pleasure, to the praise of the glory of his grace, his free gift to us in the Beloved, in whom, through his blood, we gain our freedom, the forgiveness of our sins. Such is the richness of the grace which he has showered on us in all wisdom and insight.

He has let us know the mystery of his purpose, according to his good pleasure which he determined beforehand in Christ, for him to act upon when the times had run their course: that he would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth. And it is in him that we have received our heritage, marked out beforehand as we were, under the plan of the One who guides all things as he decides by his own will, chosen to be, for the praise of his glory, the people who would put their hopes in Christ before he came. Now you too, in him, have heard the message of the truth and the gospel of your salvation, and having put your trust in it you have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit of the Promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, for the freedom of the people whom God has taken for his own, for the praise of his glory.

Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Then he summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs, giving them authority over unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, 'Don't take a spare tunic.' And he said to them, 'If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust under your feet as evidence to them.' So they set off to proclaim repentance and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

Reflection

By Beth Eguia

“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.”

It has been 5 months now after my operation. It was scary but thank God he sent angels. I was able to go through the ordeal. I would like to take this opportunity to thank a friend whom I only met in the hospital. Her name is Mildred, a simple but extraordinary woman. I can still recall that first day in the hospital. I was pale, in pain, afraid. I made the decision to have the operation but at the back of my mind I was so scared. I needed help. I needed refuge. I needed to feel secure. Working in a Muslim country, it is surprising to have been admitted and been taken care of in a hospital facility run by nuns. And to top it all, a community of lay people visits the sick regardless of race or religion. God knew I was scared and I needed someone so He sent Mildred to me. I wanted to have a confession, to receive Holy Communion, to have anointing, and most especially, to be at peace. It was like you are going into a battle. You have to show you are in control, that you can do it, but inside you need something to fill that empty space, to push you more, to be energized.


Mildred arranged everything, called for the priest so I can have all the sacraments and most especially, she was there to comfort me. The moment we were alone together, I talked and started to cry like a child. I melted like a candle, and her mere presence made me realized how precious I am to God. Simple gestures but it all made the difference. I was very grateful for that. At the day of my operation, I was at peace. I was happy. I can’t explain it but it is like you are so secured and that everything will be fine. I know people were praying for me, my family, friends and relatives. God was with me. Worries never crossed my mind even when I was inside the operating room and they were preparing me for the anesthesia. I woke up thinking it has not started but I was already in the recovery room about to be wheeled down back to my room. Mildred visited me almost every day during my 7 days stay in the hospital. If she was not around, she made sure someone will be there so I can receive the Holy Communion.

Each one of us is being called to be the chosen one. There are no major requirements. You could be rich or poor, a degree holder or not. It does not even ask you to be a master of anything. The only basic requirement is a big heart. A heart that loves and gives beyond what is expected. A humble and contrite heart that is 100% dependent on God. That is what I have witnessed in Mildred. She was a family woman but dedicated part of her life comforting others like me. I even asked her once how she coped with this kind of life. And she just merely said, “Everyday as I wake up, I thank and praise God and surrender everything to Him. I emptied myself so God can use me in accordance to his will.’


You and I can be like Mildred too. Are we ready to be the Chosen One?


Prayer

We praise and thank You Lord for another wonderful message in today’s Gospel. Grant us the grace to live our lives emulating what the disciples did, living life in service for others. Amen.