With a Mission

The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent!

7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 [a]Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. 9 Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; 10 no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. 11 Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter a house, wish it peace. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you.[b] 14 [c]Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words—go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. 15 Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.-Matthew10:7-15

The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Repent! Let's mend our ways. It is not such a difficult thing to do when one is open to change. But if one resists, there the problem enters. So many despise religious men and women for doing their jobs. So many blame the missionaries for the spread of HIV-AIDS in Africa because the latter is teaching against the use of condoms. The scientific and medical communities hail themselves as the real helpers in solving the problem by providing condoms and other ways to stop the virus. Really? Just really? But I say, let's not just focus on HIV-AIDS but the deeper root of the problem - lack of self-control and lack of discipline. If one chooses to say No to premarital sex or fornication, then s/he preserves herself/himself. You don't worry about sexually transmitted disease, or malicious videos. You respect your very self as a holy temple. The Church is never against having a happy life. But how do you define happiness?

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The Actors and Actresses

Jesus and the Twelve.

1 [a]Then he summoned his twelve disciples[b] and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. 2 The names of the twelve apostles[c] are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; 4 Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.
5 Jesus sent out these twelve[d] after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’-Matthew10:1-7

Nowadays, when people demand for freedom of speech and expression, it is easy to judge, accept or reject a person based on what we know about him/her. But Jesus is different. Though God-made-Man, Jesus does not and will never judge people based on looking at certain circumstances only. Perhaps He already knew the past, present and future of His disciples, yet, He did not impede or went against the Father's will. Perhaps He has His own separate preferences, yet, He called those predestined from the beginning by the Father. What is predestined is destined to happen. The 'actors,' 'actresses,' and the 'stage' are all in and must play their role. Some have good roles, others do not like Judas Iscariot. But the play continues and actually evolves, and God - the Director - gives all of us many many chances to be better, to embrace our Resurrection and to exercise our free will according to His plan and will. No one is too old or too young. We are all called to a holy life. We are all called to reach out to the lost sheep. We are all called to help one another. We are all called to be charitable to one another. We are all called to be like Jesus Christ Himself to others - Ipse Christus. We are all called to praise and worship the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

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Not in this world

Consecrate them in the truth.

11 And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are. 12 When I was with them I protected them in your name that you gave me, and I guarded them, and none of them was lost except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you. I speak this in the world so that they may share my joy completely. 14 I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 15 [a]I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. 17 Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. 19 And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.-John17:11-19

Jesus said, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one." Jesus knows that the time is near when He will face Passion, Crucifixion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension. The time is near when He will be with the Father in Heaven. Despite this awareness, Jesus looks upon us who are left behind. We belong to Him. But we still have our earthly pilgrimage to finish to. This earthly pilgrimage is here in the world. But being in the world does not mean that one has to be worldly or to be a slave of the world. Instead, we have the power to make a good and Godly choice to remain rooted in Christ despite living in a world that sees things differently. Years ago, I was put to the 'test' through temptation. Temptation was so sweet that I cannot walk away. I always say in my prayer that it is difficult to walk away and that I just have to give in to it, leading me to sin. Now, through hindsight, intense prayer and a better perspective, all that I can say is, indeed, sin only leads to death, sorrow, suffering and much sadness. If I have a choice to walk away before or if I am given a chance to undo the past, I would do the right thing. But past is past. All that I can do now is to better myself at present to make my future better too. Yes, we have a choice. We can make a good and Godly choice. We can choose not to be a slave of the world and sin.

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Not Alone

Jesus has conquered the world.

29 His disciples said, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. 30 Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.”[a] 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? 32 Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered[b] to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”-John16:29-33

It is easy to make promises when we are in our comfort zones. But sometimes our words, promises, oaths, vows, alliances and relationships are put to test through trials and difficulties. What we promised in one hour, can be broken in the next. In the Gospel, the disciples' statement truly manifest their faith in Jesus. But Jesus slams it by telling them that they will leave Him alone. And yet, despite this, Jesus is still the One who comforts them. In fact, Jesus who will suffer in the Passion, is the One strengthening them, preparing them and still blessing them with peace. Like His disciples, we, too, are always in the heart of Jesus. No matter what we failed to do, Jesus still beckons us to Himself. He will forgive and welcome us despite the weight of our sins.

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Contact

Jesus ascended into Heaven.

15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. 18 They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. 20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.-Mark16:15-20

It must have been very sad for Jesus' disciples to see their Master go. It is very different when you are with people that you love physically versus spiritually. Even though modern day communications and social media connect people, still it is so different when you are actually conversing with them in person. But Jesus comforts His disciples by assuring them that it is for their good that He leave, and He will leave only to return again (in Spirit that is). If we believe that we are a bodied spirit, then our spirit knows how to communicate with Jesus and knows how to listen to Him spiritually as if in person. We are not orphans, for Jesus lives in each and everyone of us. Jesus is very much present with us as if in real life, but it takes a spiritual eye to see Him.

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Friendship

I have called you friends.

12 This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. 13 [a]No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends,[b] because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. 16 It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. 17 This I command you: love one another.-John15:12-17

Everything started in friendship. The best of friends started in a simple friendship. Husbands and wives started as friends. Members of a thriving community must always be-friend one another. Almost always we are friends with many staff and company members. By making His disciples His friends, and by instituting Love as the foundation of the community and the ministry, Jesus has taught all of us how we should be with one another. Wherever we go, we must bring along love with us.

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Doubting Thomas

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples[a] were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.[b] The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 [c][Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 [d]And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the holy Spirit. 23 [e]Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”24 Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” 28 [f]Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 [g]Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written that you may [come to] believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.-John20:19-35

Thomas' reaction is possibly normal. Though personally, if I am Thomas, I would have believed since some women and other disciples apart from the 12 have already testified to this truth. Yet, despite so many witnesses, Thomas refused to believe possibly because he is the type who will only believe in something he has seen, heard, tasted, smelled and touched.

Today, we cannot see Jesus physically albeit indirectly and in spirit only. But His invitation to Thomas is extended to us - Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. We belong to the post-glorification disciples, meaning, we believe in Jesus though we have not experienced Him in history and for real. However, because of the testimonies from one generation to the next, we have come to believe. Jesus is empowering us to proclaim the Good News through many means - witnessing, proclaiming, evangelizing, teaching, etc.

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Credible Witnesses

Believe!

9 When he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. 13 They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.
14 [But] later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. 15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.-Mark16:9-15

There are things that are too good to be true, too good that it cannot be true. And there are things that are too good to be false, too good to be false. In the gospel reading, the disciples have trouble accepting the beautiful testimonies that Jesus is alive. After all, resurrection is something unproven during their time. But in succeeding readings, we can all see their transformation as their minds and hearts are opened to the truth - that Jesus is what the Law and the prophets are talking about, and He rose from the dead. Yes, the first of mankind resurrected and shared with us the promised eternal life. Seeing with their own eyes and experiencing Jesus concretely made the disciples true and credible witnesses to the truth.

Sometimes, we need to believe in something though it may seem impossible and unrealistic at all, for everything is possible with God.

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An Impasse

Jesus showed Himself again.

1 [a]After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. 2 Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons,[b] and two others of his disciples. 3 [c]Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” 6 So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. 7 So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. 9 [d]When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three[e] large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him,[f] “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. 14 [g]This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.-John21:1-14

'I am going fishing' can also be interpreted as going back to the old life. When Jesus did His active ministry, He and His disciples have something to do all the time - teach, preach, heal, drive out demons, etc. But things changed when Jesus died and resurrected. It seems He was not around all the time. 'What must we do?' or 'What will happen now?' is possibly some questions that each disciple asked. The feeling is similar to a flock of sheep losing their shepherd. Perhaps, it is natural to go back to familiar ways. But God has a different plan. Jesus steps into the void and leads the way. At a time of not knowing what to do, Jesus comes and guides. Above all, Jesus remained true to His promise when He called Peter and the other disciples. Their vocation and their role do not stop, rather, it continues and reaches another level. As Jesus said in John14:18, 'I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.'

There are times that we face an impasse, a void; seemingly, life stopped and there is nowhere to go. But, it is in this very moments that Jesus is all the more knocking in our hearts. He is calling us. Jesus is reaching out to us and wanting to guide us. All we have to do is simply to take His hand.

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Fasting, Joy and Thanksgiving

Time for joy.

14 Then the disciples of John approached him and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast [much], but your disciples do not fast?” 15 Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.[a]-Matthew9:14-15

Jesus said it right, why must His disciples fast when the much awaited Messiah has come? Why fast when the purpose and reason for fasting is with us? But Jesus ascended into Heaven and He continues to dwell here with us, among us and within us. Therefore, the focus is no longer in fasting but in joy and thanksgiving that God is with us. However, Jesus never said we must not fast, thus, we continue it still not only externally (one full meal), but also internally. Fasting's real purpose is a connection to the Lord, a detachment from the self, and true reconciliation with God.

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Living Life to the Fullest

How must we enjoy life to the fullest?

22 He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily[a] and follow me. 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?-Luke9:22-25

So many people would say or greet another with this simple message, "Enjoy life." But what is the formula for enjoying life? I have read stories, encountered people who say that to enjoy life, one must travel, shop, party, be with friends, spend, beautifying oneself, eat and drink, and so forth. These are not bad or evil. However, these are not the real key or answer to enjoying life to the fullest. To live life to the fullest is simply by following Christ - a life of simplicity and poverty, of respect, of love, of generosity, of compassion, of mercy, of prayer, of humility, of doing the will of God. An expensive bag gives one happiness that lasts for a short time only. A bag, no matter how expensive it is, is still a bag at the end of the day. The happiness through generosity that we do to others lasts for a long time. Even if we forget, other people remember it. The goodness we do to others, contribute to the change of the world and teaches others to be good as well. We live in this world but it doesn't mean we have to be worldly. Everything is created good and Jesus is inviting us to complement it by doing good also. Seemingly our world is evil, but God and His goodness - through our goodness also - will always triumph.

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Prayerful Life

Make time for prayer.

29 On leaving the synagogue he entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. 31 He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.32 When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. 33 The whole town was gathered at the door. 34 He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

35 Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and those who were with him pursued him 37 and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” 39 So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.-Mark1:29-39

I have written so many blogs and articles that encourage people to pray. I have taught several times both to children and adults to pray. Some would say they do not have time. Others. they are busy. Others, they don't know how to pray in the midst of work. Well, Jesus was busy in today's Gospel. In fact, He was very busy during His ministry. But Jesus always find time to pray even if it means waking up very early.

The other day, I cannot accomplish anything, I cannot concentrate. I cannot comprehend a little instruction. But when I stopped, prayed and surrendered everything to God, everything fell into place and was made clear to me by God as to what I must do and where I went wrong.

Jesus continues to invite us to be prayerful. It's not such a difficult thing to do. It isn't necessary to have lengthy prayers - although it is still acceptable - because what is more important is a heart that connects to God.

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Self-sacrificing

Flexibility.

30 The apostles[a] gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. 31 [b]He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. 32 So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place. 33 People saw them leaving and many came to know about it. They hastened there on foot from all the towns and arrived at the place before them.34 When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.-Mark6:30-34

One mentor once mentioned that I was a "Black and White" person. If it's time to work, then I'll work. If it's time to rest, then I'll rest. But when "gray areas" occur (like a sudden change of schedule), I'm easily disoriented and sometimes peeved. The Gospel reading spoke of the apostle's return from their missionary work. Since Jesus was aware of their journey and tiredness, He gave them rest. But because of the number of people, no rest happened nor a time to eat. Going to a deserted place, they found people still waiting for them. Will there be rest? No. But instead of getting irritated or disappointed, Jesus was touched and moved with pity. Instead of resting, He taught them many things. Jesus is inviting us all to grow in patience and understanding. Sometimes, our personal needs are nothing compared to the needs of others.

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Faith in our Hearts

Walk with Jesus!

7 He summoned the Twelve[a] and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. 8 [b]He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. 9 They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. 10 [c]He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. 11 Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” 12 So they went off and preached repentance. 13 [d]They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.-Mark6:7-13

How does it take to be a missionary? What must one do to have a "staying" power? I realized that we, humans, cannot do anything on our own. Everything comes from God and through God. Some people say we should unlock our potentials so that the "superhuman" in us will come out. These people even justify it by quoting Jesus' Words, "... you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." But the truth is this, Jesus said, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." It is through faith that we can move mountains. But faith is something that did not originate in us but is still a call, an invitation a grace and gift from God for us to accept and respond.

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The Big Yes

Somebody's calling you.

14 After John had been arrested,[a] Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

16 As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. 19 He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. 20 Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.-Mark1:14-20

The call is so mysterious. Indeed, why did Jesus choose common folks? Were there not an abundance of learned men during His time? Were not Pharisees, Sadducees, Elders, Scribes or "more deserving people" in abundance during Jesus' active ministry? God's ways are indeed not our ways. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. God has planned it all way ahead of time. God has already pre-destined men and women for a role they are to fill later on. The plan is there. The destined role is there. The stage is there. All that is missing is our Yes. Our "Yes" to God is not so difficult to give as exemplified by His disciples' response.

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And the Cost?

Follow Jesus!

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.-Mark1:14-20

"Come, follow me." When Jesus called His first disciples, it was clear that they immediately left their boats, nets, father and hired men behind. In short, they left everything for Jesus. However, following Jesus has a certain cost. No, you're not going to pay for it, rather, a follower/disciple of Jesus must "deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus." Easier said than done. To deny oneself means saying no to pleasures and desires of life. It means living like Jesus - seeped in poverty, servant of all, celibate, chaste, forgiving even to the unforgivable and so on. If necessary, to live without anything to lay one's head on. To take up one's cross means enduring joyfully the absence of many pleasures and desires of life. Isn't it painful to say no to our favorite food? Isn't it painful to deny one of an addiction? Isn't it painful to reconcile with a sworn enemy?

Isn't it painful to forgive one whom we vowed never to forgive? Denying oneself and carrying one's cross will free us of many baggages and chains in life, and will make us free to follow Jesus. Isn't it easier to walk without any bag to carry around?

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Don't be afraid

Jesus will be there for us.

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.-Mark6:45-52

The Gospel reading today is a continuation of yesterday's reading. Jesus gave a bigger-than-life challenge to His disciples - feed five thousand men (not counting the women and children) right on the spot. It was not His disciples who solved it, it was Jesus Himself who did the wonderful miracle of feeding thousands of men, women and children out of five loaves and two fishes only. Not only that, there were twelve wicker baskets of leftover, enough for Jesus and His disciples' journey ahead. Today, another challenge came to Jesus' disciples - fear. I am not sure if they were fearful of the wind and the waves, but they were definitely afraid of a ghost (it was actually Jesus walking at them). We all face many fears - fear of getting old, fear of being poor, fear of being alone, fear of failures, fear of making a new start, fear of new relationships, fear of getting hurt again, and so forth. But Jesus' words continue to ring today and until the end of time. "Take courage. It is I. Don't be afraid." Jesus is inviting us all not to be afraid. What is past belongs to the past. New beginnings do not have the same ending. Adventures are always new and they are never the same. Every venture has a different story and a different ending. Let not our hearts be troubled by fears and problems. Jesus will always be there to help us. He will even be the One to solve it for us.

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Mission and Purpose

Our mission and purpose may lie somewhere.

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.-Luke6:12-16

As I read and reflected, a part of me wondered what kind of men (and women) the other disciples - who were not chosen - are like. We know the composition of the 12 - fishermen, tax collector, zealot, a traitor and others. But what about the other disciples?

Why are they not chosen? Are there lettered men (and women)? Are there synagogue officials? Is there a Pharisee that secretly followed Jesus? One thing is certain, Jesus spent the night in deep prayer before making an important decision. As I reflected, grace has been given to me to realize that the 12 apostles were predestined long before they were born to be in Jesus' intimate circle of believers. It does not mean that the other followers and disciples were bad that's why they were not chosen. It is most likely that their capabilities, skills, talents and gifts are much utilized if they are not in the inner circle. It's like they glorify and help in Jesus' ministry more if they are not in the inner circle. Notice that for every town, there are always persons who are more religious than the rest. For every religious persons, there will always be those who are set apart to be a priest, religious brother or sister. For every priest, there will always be those who are still set apart to be bishops. For every bishops, there will always be those who are still set apart to be a cardinal.

And for every cardinal, there will always be one who will be a pope later on. Yes, we all have a mission. We all have a purpose. And it lies somewhere in our hearts waiting to be known. The Gospel reading is not just about the 12 who were chosen and not just about praying before making an important decision, but also Jesus' way of reminding us of our mission and purpose alongside with Him.

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