27 September 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections
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TOPIC: DO WE EXERCISE OUR GOD-GIVEN POWER AND AUTHORITY THE WAY JESUS COMMANDED?
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First Reading: Ezra 9: 5-9
Responsorial Psalm: Tobit 13: 2, 3-4a, 6, 8
Alleluia: Mark 1: 15
Gospel: Luke 9: 1-6
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus was about to send His apostles into mission and gave them another sign of His great love; the power and authority to cast out evil spirits, to heal, and to speak the word of God. Jesus did so by marrying power and authority with love and humility.
At the time of the mission sending of the disciples, Israel had been conquered by the Roman Empire and the people had suffered much, with poverty, sickness and misery all around. At this point in history, the world has become so used to the idea of seeking and possessing power for selfish gain. In Israel, worldly power and authority were used to subdue and abuse a people chosen by God from the very beginning to bring forth His Light to the nations. Yet it was this Light that has given mere men the kind of power and authority that is totally different, taught them how to use power and authority, not for oppression, but to make people whole, to heal, and to proclaim, to use them for the good of their neighbor, and to "travel light" with little or no provision. In other words, to be poor in spirit.
This is the 1251st installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.
[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Raymond Bucu, Head of CFC Gateway Evangelization, as he brings us today's reflection.
All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for
