Reflections on Scripture | Saturday of the First Week of Advent

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest."

Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.

Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
"Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: 'The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."

Reflection

This gospel is usually used when we are praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. But it would be a mistake to think that that is the only ones that are called to really shepherd the flock.

We are all given this incredible authority from God to be an instrument of healing and giving direction and life to those who are in darkness and need some help. What an incredible, important gift to remember, everyone has this role and whatever we will be wanting to give, we will be receiving the authority that one has when one speaks about spiritual things, is always going to flow from the fact that they have received the gift.

They know what it is because they have found it. That's the heart of what it means to have authority when you are taking care of those that you are called to care for.

Closing Prayer

Father, awaken in us. We know that is the prayer of your son. Jesus when he walked this earth, that there would be those who would come after Him and do His work. Help us to become that. Help us to take seriously this obligation and this privilege of being the one who resonates your healing power to those that we come in contact with. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross