In today's gospel Matthew records Jesus' continued teachings to the apostles ... and what he offers is not a piece of cake, a bowl of cherries. You will be "in the midst of wolves" Jesus is warning his apostles. It is more so today than in the first century.
Interestingly, Jesus also suggests that an apostle must be "shrewd as serpents and simple as doves." That was the way he worked his ministry, especially in many instances where he stood in conflict with the infamous "scribes and Pharisees."
Today the Church celebrates St. Benedict. Recall he was born in Italy in the late 5th century, did his studies in Rome and then took on the life of a hermit outside Rome in a cave on a hillside in the village of Subiaco. Eventually he moved to the now famous Monte Cassino, south of Rome, and one of the major victims of American bombs during WWII. (The rebuilt monastery is today a major tourist site along with the cemetery adjacent to the monastery where many of the Polish troops involved in the war are buried.) Benedict is buried there beside his twin sister, St. Scholastica. Back to prayerful thoughts.
While at Monte Cassino, Benedict composed a Rule which brought about his repute as "the father of Western monasticism." Perhaps this composition can be likened to Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. The two stand as pillars of modern spirituality.
As some Benedictine writers proclaim, Abbot Benedict insisted that his subjects realize how important words that we speak can be not only for ourselves but for those whose minds hear our spoken words. How fitting the responsorial psalm (51) as a choice for today's liturgy: "My mouth will declare your praise." It is a part of the invocation that begins the daily celebration of the official prayer of the Church: "Lord, open my lips and my mouth will will declare your praise" (51:17). Clearly and with some strength the person in prayer, especially those who realize their role as a messenger of God, realizes that his/her words can turn peoples' lives. Hosea's prophetic words in the first reading speak about the significance of what we say. The prophet, speaking for Yahweh, tells a repentant Israel the importance of God's presence in their lives for it is from him that they come to know what to say to others, "... because of me you bear fruit" (51:9).
So, as 21st century apostles, especially directing our own missionary efforts to those "faithful departed," we must not forget that what we say should come not from our personal thinking but from the voice of God that speaks to us in our prayer. What we can accomplish as apostles comes to us from a generous God who gives us the wisdom to be "shrewd as serpents and simple as doves." It is this gift promised us that should make us realize that our missionary work is singular effort. Let us go forth with conviction, with Blessed Assurance that Jesus and his gift of the Holy Spirit will be ours.
Interestingly, Jesus also suggests that an apostle must be "shrewd as serpents and simple as doves." That was the way he worked his ministry, especially in many instances where he stood in conflict with the infamous "scribes and Pharisees."
Today the Church celebrates St. Benedict. Recall he was born in Italy in the late 5th century, did his studies in Rome and then took on the life of a hermit outside Rome in a cave on a hillside in the village of Subiaco. Eventually he moved to the now famous Monte Cassino, south of Rome, and one of the major victims of American bombs during WWII. (The rebuilt monastery is today a major tourist site along with the cemetery adjacent to the monastery where many of the Polish troops involved in the war are buried.) Benedict is buried there beside his twin sister, St. Scholastica. Back to prayerful thoughts.
While at Monte Cassino, Benedict composed a Rule which brought about his repute as "the father of Western monasticism." Perhaps this composition can be likened to Ignatius Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. The two stand as pillars of modern spirituality.
As some Benedictine writers proclaim, Abbot Benedict insisted that his subjects realize how important words that we speak can be not only for ourselves but for those whose minds hear our spoken words. How fitting the responsorial psalm (51) as a choice for today's liturgy: "My mouth will declare your praise." It is a part of the invocation that begins the daily celebration of the official prayer of the Church: "Lord, open my lips and my mouth will will declare your praise" (51:17). Clearly and with some strength the person in prayer, especially those who realize their role as a messenger of God, realizes that his/her words can turn peoples' lives. Hosea's prophetic words in the first reading speak about the significance of what we say. The prophet, speaking for Yahweh, tells a repentant Israel the importance of God's presence in their lives for it is from him that they come to know what to say to others, "... because of me you bear fruit" (51:9).
So, as 21st century apostles, especially directing our own missionary efforts to those "faithful departed," we must not forget that what we say should come not from our personal thinking but from the voice of God that speaks to us in our prayer. What we can accomplish as apostles comes to us from a generous God who gives us the wisdom to be "shrewd as serpents and simple as doves." It is this gift promised us that should make us realize that our missionary work is singular effort. Let us go forth with conviction, with Blessed Assurance that Jesus and his gift of the Holy Spirit will be ours.
