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CONSTANTLY SEEK THE FACE OF THE LORD - stephenkhoo - 07-09-2014 02:08 PM
CONSTANTLY SEEK THE FACE OF THE LORD
SCRIPTURE READINGS: HOS 10:1-3. 7-8. 12; MT 10:1-7
http://www.universalis.com/20140709/mass.htm
We are called like the apostles by Christ to share in His ministry. We are all different, like those chosen to be His apostles. God call us in our own ways to spread the Good News. He said, “And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.” The Good News is essentially a gospel of mercy and compassion. And as Pope Francis tells us, a gospel of joy. It is good news and joy because we are given the power to heal and to deliver the people from evil. “Jesus summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.”
However, it is important to take note that we are reminded to begin with our own house. “These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows: ‘Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’” Why did Jesus tell His apostles to focus on the House of Israel? It is not because He did not come for the Gentiles. It was simply a question of strategy. Israel was chosen to be a sign for others. But they could not go out on mission unless they themselves had received the Good News.
Indeed, there is a need to be focused in the way we do mission. There is a need to be formed ourselves before we can be ready to go out to the world. The great mistake of us Catholics is that many of us have not yet been touched by the Good News radically before we begin serving or reaching out. Most of us who are active church members in ministry are not yet discipled but we are already serving. As a result, we become disillusioned in ministry when we meet difficulties and challenges. Some of us get hurt easily or burnt out by the demands of the ministry. How could we go out to the battleground when we are untrained and unskilled? We cannot go out to the world unless we are empowered and strengthened. The church is called to be a sign for the world.. But no evangelizatioen can take place unless we are well grounded in our faith and in personal relationship with the Lord.
Thus the advice of the Lord is timely. He said, “Go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.“ This house refers to the need to minister to our own Catholics, especially the leaders. It also refers to our own individual relationship with Him. We must avoid the temptation of Israel to be self-sufficient and get carried away by their wealth and success. “Israel was a luxuriant vine yielding plenty of fruit. The more his fruit increased, the more altars he built; the richer his land became, the richer he made the sacred stones.” They abandoned God, their king. They wanted to rule their own lives without God. The prophet warned them of the disaster and punishment ahead. “Their divided heart; very well, they must pay for it; the Lord is going to break their altars down and destroy their sacred stones.” We too can be too focused success. We could be that apostle who betrayed Jesus if we do not take care of ourselves. To avoid such a disaster we must take care of our house. Charity begins at home even if it does not end there.
We are exhorted to follow the psalmist’s invitation, “Constantly seek the face of the Lord. Consider the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face.” To seek His face in prayer is to recall our privilege of being chosen and His power that is given to us to heal and deliver those from their bondages. To serve the Lord and be given the gifts is a great privilege. At the same time, we are reminded to “Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, the judgements he spoke.” Indeed, in gratitude for His love and His work in and through us, we cannot but be filled with joy and confidence. Finally to seek His face is to pursue a life of integrity. We must seek to put our own lives in order and our priorities. We need to be holy if we want to serve the Lord. “Sow integrity for yourselves, reap a harvest of kindness, break up your fallow ground.” Indeed, deep and fervent prayer, especially intercessory prayer, is needed to be fruitful in ministry. The prophet encourages us, “It is time to go seeking the Lord until he comes to rain salvation on you.”
Written by The Most Rev William Goh