Gospel: Matthew 9:35—10:1, 5a, 6-8
Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom; and he cured every sickness and disease. When he saw the crowds, he was moved with pity; for they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are only few. Ask the master of the harvest to send workers to gather his harvest.” Jesus called his Twelve disciples to him, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to heal every disease and sickness. Jesus sent these Twelve on mission, with the instructions: “Do not visit pagan territory and do not enter a Samaritan town. Go, instead, to the lost sheep of the people of Israel. Go, and proclaim this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. Freely have you received, freely give.
Reflection:
“Freely have you received, freely give.”
Saint Nicholas was renowned for quietly helping the poor. His acts of charity prompted the tradition of gifts for children, and his name is the basis for Santa Claus. At Christmas, many offices and workplaces now practice a Secret Santa, which is a gift given by an unknown giver. There is another Giver in our life, whom we do know, but who is unseen, and that’s the Lord. It’s his boundless love and mercy which Saint Nicholas strove to imitate. The generosity of Saint Nicholas reflects the words of Christ, “Freely have you received, freely give.” We are given so much by the Lord. We depend upon him, and we receive freely from his hand each day. Isaiah describes our relationship with the Lord, as the one who teaches, comforts and guides us, whispering into our ear, “This is the way, walk in it.” We need to be open and alert to this prompting, as the world is filled with many distracting messages that try to attract our attention but, in the end, leave us “harassed and helpless,” as they draw us away from our Shepherd. Let’s thank the Lord for his divine providence and walk in his ways.
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