Reflection for December 9, 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:

What is your fulfilment in life? 

To amass wealth and to have power is already a fulfillment for many of us. Some even make it their life’s mission but this is not our fulfilment neither this is our life’s mission. True fulfillment and true mission in life is when we make a positive difference in the lives of others. We become this when we are able to share and introduce Jesus to them.  

When Jesus summoned His twelve disciples He did not instruct them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and make money out of them. He rather told them: “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, and drive out demons (Matthew 10:7-8).” In other words make a positive difference in their lives without expecting anything in return. 

Material things come and go but the help that we do creates a lasting impact that they will forever remember. However, some of us will say: “Life is hard right now, how can I help when I have barely enough for me and when I also need help?”  We can still give help if we would desire it and if would discard the me, myself and I first mentality.

We should also not restrict the word help with money only or anything that is material. For the reason that we can give help even without using money. For example, we can share Jesus, we can listen to emotional burdens and we can always share the gentleness and love of God.  

When was the last time, you extended help?– Marino J. Dasmarinas