Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs
Gospel of Mark 6:7-13
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. He said to them,“Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance.
Driving to work today, I noticed snow begin to fall. Powdery white flakes blew around on the street. It reminded me of the dust Jesus and his disciples walked through as they journeyed from town to town. They didn't have the luxury of hopping into a car and driving to a destination. They simply walked with the aid of a stick in one hand and Christ's message in the other! Paired two by two, I think of the disciples as if stowed on Noah's ark for 40 days but now prepared to spread the good news with Jesus as their leader.
Can you imagine being one of Jesus' twelve disciples, relying on the charity of others to feed you, cloth you, and give you money? Can you imagine not knowing where you'd sleep from one day to the next? This was the sacrifice the men made as followers of Christ. Their faith and their love for the Lord gave them the courage to persevere. Unbelievers mocked and ridiculed them. Those not interested in hearing the message slammed doors in their faces. If people refused to listen, Our Lord instructed his disciples to leave and shake the dust off their feet. No need to become angry, insulted, or annoyed. No need to feel defeated thinking nobody will ever understand Jesus and his teachings. Preaching repentance was something the disciples struggled with just like our clergy struggle with today. Some are open to hearing the word, others are deaf to the word.
How important for all of us to shake the dust off our feet when people criticize, ridicule, and otherwise make life uncomfortable. Not everyone will like us no matter how hard we try. People will always criticize and even mock us for the way we look, our beliefs, our personalities, and the words we speak. What we can do is shake the dust of annoyance, anger, despair, and revenge off of our feet and walk on! Life is too short to ruminate on negativity. Life is too precious to feel defeated by naysayers and enemies who want to see us go down. Fortunately, our walking sticks are lead by Jesus Christ himself! He gives us the faith, hope, love, and charity needed to overcome obstacles. At the end of time, we will not have to worry about our enemies. Jesus will have a special place designated for them.
Being a Christian is not easy, especially in our modern day where "anything goes" is the policy. Selfishness dictates how a person should like others whereas selflessness dictates how a person should love others!
Shake the dust off your feet when the times get rough and walk toward the light of Christ.
-J.
Can you imagine being one of Jesus' twelve disciples, relying on the charity of others to feed you, cloth you, and give you money? Can you imagine not knowing where you'd sleep from one day to the next? This was the sacrifice the men made as followers of Christ. Their faith and their love for the Lord gave them the courage to persevere. Unbelievers mocked and ridiculed them. Those not interested in hearing the message slammed doors in their faces. If people refused to listen, Our Lord instructed his disciples to leave and shake the dust off their feet. No need to become angry, insulted, or annoyed. No need to feel defeated thinking nobody will ever understand Jesus and his teachings. Preaching repentance was something the disciples struggled with just like our clergy struggle with today. Some are open to hearing the word, others are deaf to the word.
How important for all of us to shake the dust off our feet when people criticize, ridicule, and otherwise make life uncomfortable. Not everyone will like us no matter how hard we try. People will always criticize and even mock us for the way we look, our beliefs, our personalities, and the words we speak. What we can do is shake the dust of annoyance, anger, despair, and revenge off of our feet and walk on! Life is too short to ruminate on negativity. Life is too precious to feel defeated by naysayers and enemies who want to see us go down. Fortunately, our walking sticks are lead by Jesus Christ himself! He gives us the faith, hope, love, and charity needed to overcome obstacles. At the end of time, we will not have to worry about our enemies. Jesus will have a special place designated for them.
Being a Christian is not easy, especially in our modern day where "anything goes" is the policy. Selfishness dictates how a person should like others whereas selflessness dictates how a person should love others!
Shake the dust off your feet when the times get rough and walk toward the light of Christ.
-J.
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