One Minute Reflection – 12 July – Friday of the Fourteenth week in Ordinary Time, Year C – Gospel: Matthew 10:16–23 and the Memorial of St John Gualbert (c 985-1073)
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves,
so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”...Matthew 10:16
REFLECTION – “As Jesus gave His disciples authority to offer valuable services of health, freedom and life, who should they have to face opposition? The point is, that these good services are not ends in themselves but manifestations of what Jesus came to establish, namely, the Kingdom of heaven. These services are also the doorway for stirring in people an interest in Jesus, eventually leading them to faith in Him.
So what’s so jarring about the Kingdom of heaven that it provokes persecution? Since the Kingdom of heaven, ushered in by Jesus, challenges the values of those opposed to it’s values, Jesus anticipates His own rejection and forewarns His disciples to expect persecution, hatred and rejection in His name, even though they will be offering valuable services.
As His disciple, am I willing to continue my services in His name, by standing firm for His cause of establishing God’s reign?”…Fr Isaac SDB
PRAYER – Lord God, grant us restless hearts, hearts which seek Your Face. Keep us from the blindness of heart which sees only the surface of things. Give us the simplicity and purity which allow us to recognise Your presence in the world. When we are not able to accomplish great things, grant us the courage which is born of humility and goodness. Impress Your Face on our hearts. May we encounter You along the way and show Your image to the world. Grant, we pray that the prayers of St John Gualbert may assist in being courageous and merciful to all. Through Christ, our Lord, with the Holy Spirit, God forever, amen.
AnaStpaul 