How many of us have faced criticism for being Catholic, of being religious and ritualistic? Or in turn criticised our sisters and brothers in Christs outside of the Catholic Church for not having the fullness of faith? Who is it that seeks to divide us? Afterall our Lord Jesus prays for us to be One just as He and the Heavenly Father are one.
We have all been sent! (The term apostle is derived from Classical Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), meaning “one who is sent off”, from στέλλειν (“stellein”), “to send” + από (apó), “off, away from”.) Sent to do what? Jesus commands us to e go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matt 28:19-20)
In today’s Gospel we are reminded that in our zeal to go out and do good works which is very much needed, we must first be in the presence of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Before we can minister to others we must first be ministered by Him. Nourished by His Word, grace filled with the Holy Spirit we can then go out bringing His presence with us. Amen
Saint Francis of Assisi pray for us…
________
First reading
Galatians 1:13-24 ·
God called me through his grace and chose to reveal his Son in me
You must have heard of my career as a practising Jew, how merciless I was in persecuting the Church of God, how much damage I did to it, how I stood out among other Jews of my generation, and how enthusiastic I was for the traditions of my ancestors.
Then God, who had specially chosen me while I was still in my mother’s womb, called me through his grace and chose to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach the Good News about him to the pagans. I did not stop to discuss this with any human being, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were already apostles before me, but I went off to Arabia at once and later went straight back from there to Damascus. Even when after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him for fifteen days, I did not see any of the other apostles; I only saw James, the brother of the Lord, and I swear before God that what I have just written is the literal truth. After that I went to Syria and Cilicia, and was still not known by sight to the churches of Christ in Judaea, who had heard nothing except that their one-time persecutor was now preaching the faith he had previously tried to destroy; and they gave glory to God for me.
________
Gospel
Luke 10:38-42
Martha works; Mary listens
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’
CatholicJules.net 