Collect for 14th Sunday of Year

THE COLLECT SERIES

THE MASS: COLLECT SERIES ICON

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COLLECT

O God, who in the abasement of Your Son have raised up a fallen world,

Fill Your faithful with holy joy,

For on those You have rescued from slavery to sin

You bestow eternal gladness.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible, the following reflection questions emerged:

1.  What are some of the synonyms for abasement?
2.  Using some of these synonyms to replace the word abasement, how does this

     impact on the meaning for me?
3.  What is holy joy? 
4.  How can I use holy joy in my life this coming week?

5.  What is eternal gladness and how can I experience it this coming week?
6. What does it mean to me to be redeemed by Jesus? 
6.  How can I live a life of mercy?

GOSPEL REFLECTION.

Today we hear the Gospel of Jesus sending out the disciples on mission. The disciples hear the conditions on which they are to go out ‘’ no sandals, no haversack, no purse’’. In other words, they were not only to go without the comforts of the world but also the necessities. They were to rely on the good will of others for their lodgings and their food.

Why did Jesus ask them for such a radical process to mission?  If they had the necessities and/or the creature comforts of life, then, although their mission would likely to have been successful, they would have been doing it in their own strength and not relying on God. They needed to be stripped bare ( like us) to feel that feeling of being uncomfortable, to experience the providence of God.  When we are have the resources we need, we can easily forget God as though we do not need Him. We have become self-reliant. God is teaching His disciples ( and us) the importance of reliance on God- the providence of God.

He also teaches the disciples (and us) the second important lesson which is that not everyone wants to receive the message but not only do they not want to receive the message of redemption but they will shun it.  How are the disciples to respond in this situation?   They are to ‘’wipe their feet’’. In other words, they are to move on- don’t waste time trying to convince them of the message but give the message to those who receive it into their hearts.  Added to that, do not expect a joyful, grateful acknowledgement of the good you are doing. You are likely to meet opposition, ridicule and the like. 

In the Gospel, the disciples return- their mission was successful and they were joyful and delighted. They had not gone hungry- their needs had been met on the mission.

Yet Jesus reminds them that although it is good to be joyful about success to remember how it was possible- only through God, His providence, His help and love. He reminds them that the focus needs to remain God focused not self-focused. 

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, not we can do all things by our own strength.

APPLICATION OF THE MISSION

Whatever your mission is this week- going to work, raising a family, studying, or in retirement, we all have to apply these principles of mission

GOD first place in everything: decisions, thoughts, actions."

God to provide our needs: reliance on God for Providence.

God to thank for our success through Him: we can be successful in the mission but do not get caught up thinking it is our glory. Give God the Glory. It belongs to Him.

Let us keep our focus on God this week- whether it is in the small menial tasks like washing the dishes or a big presentation that we need to give.  When our focus is on God and we know we work with His strength and we thank Him for it, then we know our contribution to the mission will be successful.  We will be rejoicing with and in the Lord for what He has allowed to occur through us. 

Give God the glory this week in everything.