Chance has a nickname - Providence

My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings. -- St. Isaac Jogues

Gospel text (Mt 10,7-15):
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“As you go, make this proclamation:
‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts;
no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick.
The laborer deserves his keep.
Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it,
and stay there until you leave.
As you enter a house, wish it peace.
If the house is worthy,
let your peace come upon it;
if not, let your peace return to you.
Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words
go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet.
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.”

Today's Gospel, with its invitation to travel without any luggage («Do not carry any gold, silver or copper in your purses»), is inciting us to confidence, to availability. However, this does not mean to be careless! Living this reality is only possible through a life deeply rooted in what is truly fundamental: in the person of Christ. His Holiness John Paul II says: «We must respect an essential principle of the Christian vision of our life: the supremacy of Grace. We should not forget that without Christ, ‘we can do nothing’ (cf. Jn 15:5)».

In our society people have a tendency to do things "their own way”, to organize “their own life” by doing without others. Today, Jesus tells us «go»; go out. In other words, do bear in mind, those you have beside you. Let us, therefore, keep them in our mind, open to their needs.

What are the 21st century parallels of how each of us, as an apostle of Christ, practices these behaviors?

When I reflect on curing the sick, I think of the many ways that every person, in some way, has the opportunity to practice that. For those who are in some type of medical profession, the implication is obvious. However, I see other parallels, i.e., I reflect on all the family members who give time, energy and nurturance to their family members who are ill and in need of healing. I reflect on the daily encounters each of us has with a multitude of people; each of those encounters can be one of compassion or one of a negative character. Such a positive –or negative - encounter affects another at the cellular level. To me, curing the sick implies a spectrum of behavior on our part.

With the same thinking pattern, one can think more broadly, i.e., who are the lepers of 2011? What are the demons? What do I do to care for the marginalized in my environment (the lepers)? What do I do about the demons—which can range from addictions to a multitude of other sins that grip us and hold us in a form of slavery.

Finally, we as Christians must not only be recipients of peace but also givers of peace. As members of the Church gifted by Jesus with peace, we can bless people, homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces (Mt 10:12). If those to whom we offer peace are receptive, then peace will come to them (Mt 10:13). Otherwise, it will return to us (Mt 10:13).

Be men and women of peace in every way. Be disciples of Jesus, our Peace (Eph 2:14).