Friars Corner: Sent forth in God’s power
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR
Amos 7:12-15; Ps 85:9-14; Ephesians 1:3-10; Mark 6:7-13
St. Paul sent a wonderful message to the church of Ephesus and us.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in Christ, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before him.
Yes, praise God! We have been chosen to be part of God’s wonderful kingdom (family). I really am touched and inspired by that line from Ephesians 1:3. Every spiritual blessing is offered to us, not all the physical and worldly things. We have to see and accept the good spiritual blessings God has for us. The evil side presents lots of worldly things that trap and lead us in the wrong direction. We need God’s wisdom to see and understand that.
Ask for the Holy Spirit
How do we come to know the wonders of God’s plan of love for us? In the Alleluia verse today we are directed to ask our Father to enlighten our minds. We know from many other texts that the enlightenment is the work of the Holy Spirit from Pentecost until the end of time on earth. Now, these beautiful gospel stories enlighten us to know Jesus and his mission of love for us. God’s love is other-directed, helping others.
Today Mark 6 tells us that after Jesus had done “on the job training” with his earliest disciples, he called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two. Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits (devils). Do we need that power today? There is so much evil around much of our world. Even in our country, a strong group wants to throw God, prayer and our Judeo-Christian roots out of sight and mind. Is that God’s plan? No.
Are we sent?
The apostles went out preaching repentance, driving out many demons and anointing and healing the sick. Praise God. Are some called and empowered to do the same in our world today? Yes, they are. Thank God they are empowered to teach, heal and drive out evil spirits.
We may not be called to drive out demons in the drug and sexual infested areas of our culture yet we can pray more, read and meditate on these gospel stories and see how we can use our God-given blessings (gifts) to help those in need around us. Little things can really help, starting with our family, workplaces, parishes and neighborhoods.
May the great love and blessings of Jesus empower you to spread his good news this week where you live and work.
Have a blessed week,
(© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)
