Sparkles of Light (Lk 10:1-9)

26 January 2012, Thursday, 3^rd Week of the Year

 

IT IS HARD, IT IS DIFFICULT

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you."

Lk 10:1-9

            Today’s Gospel Jesus appointed seventy-two of his disciples to go to every town which he intends to visit.  He even gave specific instructions, even difficult ones, on how to fulfil these tasks like what to do in entering the house, what to say, what to eat and drink, and Jesus even asked them to cure the sick.  All of these are part of being a disciple of Jesus.  It is hard.  It is difficult.  The task was daunting, yet only few were willing to do the task.

            Let me tell you a little story.  One Saturday morning, my single-parent-dad-friend asked his three children to help out with the laundry.  And mind you, it was a lot.  Since their house help went home to the province for a short home visit, the father reminded them that no one will do these things except them.  The children then were willing to do their laundry.  But before they even started, their father added, “However, I am sorry, there is this other thing… our washing machine is broken so we need to do hand washing.”  Then there was a long pause.  By the looks on the children’s faces, it was not that inspiring or motivating thing to hear at that time.  After a while the youngest, with such innocence spoke out, “Dad, I love you, even you say we don’t have soap, I will still wash our clothes.”                       

            This is what it means to be a disciple of Christ.  Perhaps in our parishes, there are so many who wanted to serve as catechists, readers, lay ministers, servers, choir members or other tasks in the church.  However, once they know that it will entail time, resources, some difficulties and challenges, and even perhaps working with some people they don’t like or got angry with, they would rather stay in the peripherals.  Now is this wrong?  Absolutely not.  There are many saints and holy persons who did not do great and difficult things yet still has been blessed with a fulfilling and sanctifying life.  Yet the Gospel for today invites us to go beyond ourselves if we want to follow Christ.  To go the extra mine, to take a leap, to journey the road less travelled.  And if you are willing to do this, Jesus reminds us that it will not be easy and smooth.      

           

            That is why today, it is apt that we also celebrate the memorial of Saints Timothy and Titus, to remind us what discipleship is all about.  Timothy, for example, spent 15 years working with Paul, and Timothy became one of his most faithful and trusted friends.  He was sent on difficult missions by Paul—often in the face of great disturbance in local Churches which Paul had founded.  Titus is also a friend of Paul and when Paul was having trouble with the community at Corinth, Titus was the bearer of Paul’s severe letter and was successful in smoothing things out.  These two first followers of Paul gave their lives and even done difficult tasks for the Church.  It was difficult.  It was hard.  They don’t need to do it.  But they did it because they love Jesus.  May we continue to heed the call of Jesus, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.”

            Sts. Timothy and Titus, pray for us.