Reflection for December 4, Saturday of the First Week of Advent: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Gospel: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.  

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest." Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, "Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."

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Reflection:

Do we hear Jesus speaking to us through this gospel? Jesus commands His disciples to spread His good news this command is for us also. Have we already creatively shared the good news about the transforming words of Jesus by how we live our lives?  

Can we share Jesus without uttering a single word? Yes! By our way of life we can share Jesus. This we can do through humility, through serving others and by living our lives according to the life of Jesus.  

The most powerful method of witness for Jesus and for our faith are not words the most powerful witness are our actions. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is so revered by millions from different faiths because her selfless actions toward the poor speak volumes about her faith. Let us therefore be conscious about how we live our faith because through this we can convert others to become followers of Jesus. 

How do you live? Do you live your life according to the teachings of the Lord? Or you live your life according to the teachings of this world? - Marino J. Dasmarinas