Two by Two - A Reflection on "The Chosen" (S3:E2)

In this episode, we find the disciples in Capernaum after Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Matthew and his parents reconcile with each other. However, the moment in the episode that struck me the most is when Jesus and the Twelve Apostles are gathered in Peter's house and Jesus sends them out two by two (Mark 6:7-13; ). We can see the fear in their faces, the anxiety on their hearts, and the doubt in their minds. Peter glances nervously at this wife, Eden, as Jesus assigns each of them their partner and to which territory each pair will go to for their missionary work of spreading the Good News of the Gospel. Jesus trusted these "ordinary" men to share in his mission to go forth and do extraordinary work - to teach and preach, heal, and drive out demons in his name and with his authority. What about us? If we were in the shoes of the Apostles and Jesus sends us out two by two with "no food, no sack, no money. . . [and] not a second tunic," how would we respond?

Afterwards, in a tender moment with Little James, Jesus affirms him and tells Little James that he trusts that he will do great things for God despite his own physical limitations. (Psalms 139:14 - I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self you know.) Jesus reminds Little James that no matter the circumstances of our life, we endure in this life for the sake of the kingdom of heaven in eternal life. (Job 1:21 - The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!) It is easy for us to be grateful to God in good times; however, do we have hearts filled with gratitude for God in bad times. That is the challenge for us: how can we still be faithful witnesses of God's love and mercy in the midst of our own challenges and difficulties in life? We can but only by the grace of God through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 4:13 - I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.)

The episode ended with Peter assuming his role as the leader of the Apostles as he gathered them together to pray Psalm 3:

How many are my foes, LORD!

How many rise against me!

How many say of me,

"There is no salvation for him in God.”

But you, LORD, are a shield around me;

my glory, you keep my head high.

With my own voice I will call out to the LORD,

and he will answer me from his holy mountain.

I lie down and I fall asleep,

[and] I will wake up, for the LORD sustains me.

I do not fear, then, thousands of people

arrayed against me on every side.

Arise, LORD! Save me, my God!

For you strike the cheekbone of all my foes;

you break the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation is from the LORD!

May your blessing be upon your people!

They are afraid, but they trust in Jesus. They refuse to shy away from the mission that Jesus has given them. Rather, they went deeper in their relationships with their Father in heaven and with each other, and draw strength from this Communion. It is the same way that we come together for Mass to deepen our relationship with God and with each other, to receive the Eucharist at Holy Communion, and then allow ourselves to be sent forth by Jesus into mission territory. Do not be afraid. Have faith. Trust Jesus.

Gospel Reflection: Love builds up (9/12/2024)

Sisters and brothers in Christ, in today’s Gospel, Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount. Our Lord teaches us to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek, to stop judging, to stop condemning, to forgive, and to be merciful as our Father is heaven us merciful.

These are hard teachings. However, if we follow them with a humble and contrite heart, then this is how we become more like Christ and see Christ in our fellow man. For [God] "he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked." Who are the ungrateful and wicked ones? Who else but us. Yet, God loves us and shows us mercy; we are called to do the same. 

It is as Saint Paul wrote to the Corinthians: ". . .love builds up. . ."; let us build up one another in love. Why is this important for us? Well, as Saint John writes: "If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us."

We cannot do it on our own but we can with grace from God and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us ask God to guide us along the everlasting way. For "there is one God, the Father, from whom all things are and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and through whom we exist. . " because God loves us.

. . .

Gospel

Jesus said to his disciples:

“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,

pray for those who mistreat you.

To the person who strikes you on one cheek,

offer the other one as well,

and from the person who takes your cloak,

do not withhold even your tunic.

Give to everyone who asks of you,

and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

For if you love those who love you,

what credit is that to you?

Even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you,

what credit is that to you?

Even sinners do the same.

If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,

what credit is that to you?

Even sinners lend to sinners,

and get back the same amount. 

But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,

and lend expecting nothing back;

then your reward will be great

and you will be children of the Most High,

for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.

Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.

Forgive and you will be forgiven.

Give and gifts will be given to you;

a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,

will be poured into your lap.

For the measure with which you measure

will in return be measured out to you.”

[Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091224.cfm]

The Little Host

This morning, I had the blessed opportunity to lead Adoration of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for Family Fiat with Mary: First Saturday Devotion at St. Albert the Great. When I arrived, I found out that the large monstrance was being used for a retreat and the small monstrance did not have a Consecrated Host. Fr. Hai and I discussed and he said to use the Consecrated Host that we normally use for Holy Communion at Mass. He said, "Large or small, it is still Jesus for the people to adore."

During Adoration, I reflected on that as I let our Lord Jesus Christ gazed upon me lovingly from the monstrance. I am reminded of what Pope Saint John Paul II once said, "In that little host is the solution to all the problems of the world.. It was a rough week and I had to miss Mass in the morning a couple of days. I am glad that I was able to spend time with Jesus this morning. I am at peace, filled with his joy, and feel his loving presence in my life. I am blessed.

When life's challenges and difficulties wear down on you, go visit our Lord Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist at Mass and Adoration. God is bigger than our problems and, most of all, He loves us unconditionally. Abide in his love and let Him rest in your heart.