9 December, 2023 | Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Gospel Mt 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."
Reflections:
A gift is something that is freely given, unearned and undeserved. It’s given out of love with no strings attached. The apostles after having been given authority to “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons” were told by Jesus, “You received without payment; give without payment.”
Of the long list of gifts and blessings that God has given us, the greatest, is, his Love revealed in Christ our Saviour, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). During this season of Advent we are particularly reminded of God’s love, and having been chosen to be his disciples, we have the responsibility to share the good news of God’s love and bring others to Christ, spending our time and energy and resources without counting the cost.
Activity:
Let us spend some time today counting the blessings we have received.
Praise the Lord 👏
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