DAILY- HOMILY

July 11, 2019 – THURSDAY, 14TH Week in Ordinary Time
St. Benedict, Abbot and Religious Founder
Memorial. White.

Gn 44: 18 – 21, 23b – 29; 45: 1 – 5 / Mt 10: 7 – 15

St. Benedict (480 – 547), born in Norcia, organized monastic life with his Rule for the Benedictines. He was proclaimed Patron of Europe by Bl. Pope Paul VI. St. Scholastica (480 -547) was his twin sister.

GOSPEL READING: Mt 10: 7 – 13
Jesus said to the Twelve, "Go and proclaim this message: The kingdom of God is near. Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, cleanse the lepers, and drive out demons. You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift. Do not carry any gold, silver or copper in your purses, Do not carry a traveler's bag, or an extra shirt, or sandals, or walking stick: workers deserve their living.

"When you come to a town or a village, look for a worthy person and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, wish it peace. If the people in the house deserve it, your peace will be on them; if they do not deserve it, your blessing will come back to you."

REFLECTION
In today's Gospel reading Jesus sends off the Twelve on mission to proclaim the Good News to the towns and villages of Israel. Jesus empowers them to heal the sick, cleanse lepers and drive out demons. He instructs them to depend for their livelihood on the welcoming generosity of those to whom they preach the Good News.

He tells them, "You received this as a gift, so give it as a gift." Jesus had given them the gift of healing, of raising the dead back to life, of cleansing lepers and driving out demons; he had given them the gift and mission to share the Good News to all. He had given them the gift to give hope and life to people: he asks them to share it with people to make them happy and to better their lives.

While we have not been given the same special miraculous powers to share with others, we too are missioned to preach the Good News and to do what we can to make people happier and more peaceful and the world brighter and more loving.

We can do much to do so: St. Mother Teresa said, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."

Jesus tells the Twelve not to bring gold or an extra shirt but to trust in other people. He reminds us to travel light and to be aware of what is really important in our life's journey. He tells us to trust in the goodness of people and to believe in the benevolence of God's creation.

FINALLY, WE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ASKED OUR PRAYERS AND FOR THOSE WHO NEED OUR PRAYERS THE MOST.

Have a good day!

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