Jesus said to His disciples, "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. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your bells; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let you peace return to you".
The WORD in other words
More than a hundred years ago in a Japanese village an earthquake struck. The Japanese along the seashore thought nothing of it. But an old rich farmer on a high plain happened to be looking at the sea and saw that a tsunami was fast rushing to the seashore village. His thought was to rescue the people but what to do? In his large bodega lay his crop of rice. Piled in stacks ready for the market, it was worth a fortune. With haste he set his bodega on fire. When the villagers saw the big fire, they rushed and ran up to the higher plain to help put out the fire. As they reached the plain the tsunami struck. Four hundred lives where saved. (L. Hearn)
This is a classic example of a sacrifice: a farmer sacrificed his fortune to save lives. The Gospel speaks of an empty sacrifice, one that is devoid of love. If we heed St. Agustine's definition of sacrifice, then we would offer to God only what signifies our inner adherence to His will, and so our offering would be acceptable. God's will is for us to live in harmony with others, which is worth more than a huge but empty sacrifice.
When we come to Mass, therefore, let's not come empty-handed. Let's bring along the good life that we live.
St. Barnabas, pray for us.
-Fr. Atilano Corcuera, SVD (DWST, Tagaytay City)
