Homily for July 11, 2018.
“Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.” Matthew 10:1.
Just yesterday, Jesus asked us to that God may send labourers into the harvest and today, we see Jesus commissioning the twelve giving them authority over unclean spirits, diseases and infirmity.
As much as we pray for an increase in vocations, we must never forget to pray for an increase in Grace for those who have answered the call already. A labourer without energy (power) is like a very hungry farmer in a very fertile land, he has the seeds but cannot dig and plant. He needs to eat in other to produce food for many others.
It always sounds funny when a priest or religious asks for prayer because he/she is seen as one who lives and breathes prayers. But in reality, just as we all need to be prayed for, the priest/religious needs prayer more than anything else. Like the proverbial shoemaker (who was so busy mending people’s shoes, he forgot to mend his own shoe and suffered from a wound which prevented him from mending other people’s shoes) priests and religious are often victims of their peculiar circumstances.
In his July 2018 Prayer intention, Pope Francis says: “Let us pray together that priests who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests.” Honestly, this prayer perfectly captures the struggles and challenges most of us experience today. When next someone brings a gossip or complaint about a priest or religious, first ask: “Have you prayed for him?”
It is instructive to note that in mentioning the names of the twelve, Matthew deliberately puts Judas Iscariot last and adds the phrase “who betrayed him.” What kind of labourer am I? A Judas or a Peter? Am I a James or a John so eager for positions? Or am I a Andrew who acts only in the background quietly bringing people to Jesus and never taking centre stage? Am I a Thomas whose faith is limited to what his eyes can carry? Am I a Philip or a quiet Thaddeus who likes to do things low key? Or even, am I a Matthew with a very disturbing past?
You see, none of these labourers was perfect. Never look down on yourself because the rich harvest of God’s vineyard does not require already made Saints neither does it asks only for the talented, the outspoken, the educated, the influential or the technologically driven (like some of us). So long as you are empowered, you too can labour for God.
The authority (power) is more important than the person. A traffic controller wearing his vestment in a busy road can stop heavy trucks a hundred times heavier than himself all because the authority was given him by the state. It doesn’t matter who is wearing that vest, his authority is what controls cars. So also, a labourer is able to do so much only when he has Divine Power.
Today, we celebrate St. Benedict the Abbot, a shining example of one who laboured very hard for God’s vineyard so much so that the church is still reaping the fruits of his labour thousands of years after. For instance, there is a Benedictine Monastery not too far from where I live which serves as a place of spiritual, psychological as well as physical healing. The Benedictine Monks have gone very deep into African traditional healing plants, roots and herbs and are transforming the face of local medicine. All these would never have been but for the labour of love of St. Benedict.
At the early age of 16, Benedict left home, left everything behind and decided to pursue salvation as a lone hermit. Within a short time, he had matured so much in spirituality attracting disciples to himself whom he organized into 12 monasteries. For the love of God, Benedict left everything behind. As our opening prayer at mass today says, “grant we pray that putting nothing before love of you, we may hasten with a loving heart in the way of your commands.”
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, you empowered your disciples, renew your Holy Spirit in me every day that I may not grow weak in your vineyard. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Memorial of St. Benedict, the Abbot. Bible Study: Hosea 10:1-12, Psalm 105:2-7, Matthew 10:1-7).*
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