“When the soul is troubled, lonely and darkened, then it turns easily to the outer comfort and to the empty enjoyments of the world.”
— St. Francis of Assisi
One of the parish secretary’s desktops has the word “summer” on it. It is refreshing to see this on her computer screen. In the image are pictures of hot air balloons, the ocean, fish, seagulls, the sun, blue sky and white puffy clouds. The word “summer” is submerged in water. When I see that screen I rejoice in the blessings summer brings.
Are you planning a vacation this summer? Vacations are a freeing experience: free from schedules, free from daily routine, free from workload, free from the daily grind, free from responsibilities, free from mental pressures, and free to spend special time with those we love. As a kid it seemed like summer would last forever: no school for three months, going to Kennywood in West Mifflin and the Banksville Pool in Dormont, neighborhood baseball games, trips to Nags Head, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC, and spending untold hours soaking up the sun, (not a good thing, my dermatologist brother Dan would say today). Then those inevitable “Back to School” ads would pop up in the newspaper and Mom would whisk us off to the department store to get new clothes, bringing our bliss to an all-too-swift end.
As a parish priest you look forward to summertime to get relief from the pressures of meetings, a beehive of activities and the hustle and bustle of an endless train of motion, going with great power and force through the year. It seems life is a busy enterprise. It seems there are always more things to do, places to go and people to meet. The fast-paced life threatens to rob us of the peace we really need. Vacation time allows us to stop and take a break from the busy-ness of life so that we can refuel our soul.
The Greek word apostolos means “apostle,” “ambassador” or “one who is sent.” Today we read Jesus’ instructions to His apostles as they are sent out to share in the work of evangelization. It is an exciting moment. He sends them out to begin the mission for which He has chosen them. They are to carry on His mission through performing similar works to those in His own ministry — preaching, teaching repentance, expelling demons and anointing and healing the sick (Mk 6:12-13). He equips the twelve as His authorized representatives; they are to bring His spirit and life to the world.
Though the sending was exciting, His instructions were challenging. In our 21st century American mindset we may find Jesus’ instructions rigorous, demanding and foreign. Jesus admonishes the apostles not to make provisions for themselves but to rely on God and the hospitality of those who would hear and accept their words. He stressed the dependence on Him and the urgency of the apostles' work. Sometimes our human condition tries to control God, reality or others, but Jesus reminds His apostles to suspend those desires. They were not to have possessions or money. They were not to have fine accommodations. They were not to have great credentials, status, clout, worldly power or prestige. And they were to move on and move out when they faced rejection or failures.
Sometimes the atmosphere we go in to may be that of critical coldness, bland indifference or hostile opposition. However, we must no lose heart or the hope that Jesus is with us. Sometimes in life the door will be slammed in our face, and other times wide with possibility. Although we may want to reach out to others, we may reach an impasse which is beyond our control. In those moments, we must admit defeat and move on. This is part of the detachment Jesus calls us to. Doing the work of ministry doesn’t always guarantee a welcome. Jesus wants us to be aware of God’s call—that we are to travel light and risk rejection and difficulties, for these are the “carry ons” of true prophets. No life ever grows great until it’s focused, dedicated and disciplined.
Jesus is saying to detach from possessions and live a simple life style. Attach to Him. Jesus also sends His apostles two-by-two to remind us that we should not walk alone in life or ministry, for we need one another’s support, companionship and prayers. The lifestyle of the kingdom of God must include nonviolence, vulnerability and hospitable interdependence. Our identity and security is in identifying with Jesus. Don't get weighed down or distracted by non-essentials. For our survival training we must hold on to Jesus, His message and His mission above everything else.
Communion Meditation
To do the work of Christ
Is not a complicated thing.
It’s really quite simple.
It means to be faithful in little things,
For to be faithful in little things is a big thing.
It means to do one’s task,
No matter how humble it may be
Not only thoroughly but joyfully.
It means to make oneself available,
Yet never to seek the limelight.
It means to make oneself useful,
Without seeking to push oneself.
It means to strive to remain calm
Amid the hustle and bustle of life.
It means to carry one’s own burden,
Without, as far as possible, becoming a burden on others.
In a word it means to be at one’s post,
Helpful and faithful, loyal and constant.
As Mother Teresa says:
“We can do no great things —
Only little things with great love.
You can do what I can’t do.
I can do what you can’t do.
Together we can do something beautiful for God.”
— Flor McCarthy, SDB Sunday &; Holy Day Liturgies
