The story is told about an instructor who wanted to instill in his students courage, thoroughness and attention to detail in their profession. He dipped a finger into a container filled with urine, appeared to taste it, and then directed his students to do the same. They all did, with much agony. When they were all done, he told them: “I admire your courage, but if you were thorough, you would have noticed that it was my forefinger that I dipped into the urine, and it was my thumb that I put in my mouth.”
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In today’s Gospel (Mk. 6, 7-13), Jesus called His disciples and instructed them on how to go about their mission. He gave them detailed marching orders. They were to travel light, and to bring peace wherever they went. They were to preach repentance. They were to rely not on their own strength for they have been given authority over unclean spirits. The Lord’s instructions to us are loud and clear. It is because of our lack of faith and obedience that we fail.
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If we really follow the Lord’s instructions thoroughly and truly, our journey will be light and our message will be bright. Our discipleship must be thorough, and we must learn to follow through. The problem with many of us is our lack of commitment and our feeble sense of mission. May the Lord give us the grace to follow Him, follow Him thoroughly, and follow Him truly.
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In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the blueprint for thorough and true discipleship. “Jesus summoned the Twelve…” It is Jesus who calls us, and we respond to His call. Many of us are called not so much because of us as in spite of us. None can be proud and claim to be worthy and deserving. Thorough and true discipleship is all about humility all the way.
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“Two by two.” Thorough and true discipleship involves teamwork and team ministry. We are disciples with a Master and with a community. Let there be no superstars among us. Let there be no competitions or divisions among us who are called to serve the Lord.
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“… [A]nd gave them authority.” A disciple is empowered by the Master to witness and to heal in Jesus’ name. We are not to rely on our own power or talents. We are just instruments. We are not the source. We are just channels of grace. We must not allow ourselves to be imprisoned by worldly ambition, power, position, wealth, and popularity.
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“… [S]tay there until you leave.” A disciple must remain simple, hidden, uncomplicated. Ours is not a ministry of creating waves, but a ministry of silent waters (prayer) and going into the deep (mission). We are not the messiah of our people. The Christ we preach is the Messiah.
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“… [I]n testimony against them.” We are prophets who point out what is wrong and what is not according to God’s will. May we not be silenced by fear or favor. We must be ready for any opposition, persecution and oppression, for this is a part of the prophetic role of a disciple. If we do not encounter these, maybe it is because we are not thorough and true disciples.
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“… [T]ake nothing for the journey.” Jesus underlined the value of being poor as a disciple. In poverty, we rely on God’s power and providence. In poverty, we are free from possessions and relations that prevent us from truly and fully preaching the Kingdom of God. Freed from the desire for worldly wealth, power and pleasures, we can become effective and efficacious disciples.
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“So they went off and preached repentance.” We are disciples that carry a message from our Master. We are not to preach ourselves or the things of the world. We are tasked to preach repentance, not abundance; God’s love, not condemnation; the Cross, not hopelessness. May we preach these not only by our words but also by our very deeds.
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Sharing with you some reflections of an octogenarian friend, a self-made man who has been through a lot and has done much, but is filled with humility and gratitude in his heart: “Lord, I pray that you turn my pride into humility which is the beginning of knowing more. Let me not sing a song to my pride; rather, make me hear the lyrics of humility and compassion. Let me not blurt out the words that I wrongly think as wisdom; rather, make me hear the silence of true wisdom. Let me not go in haste to be ahead of others; rather, grant that I may take care of my every step, lest I stumble and go nowhere. Let me not be adamant; rather, make me adapt like the water that flows along the meandering course of life. Let me not go astray in the follies of life; rather, let me walk in the Lord’s way. And at the end of this life’s journey, let me be in a state of grace so that I may finally see the face of my Lord and God Jesus.”
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Last Friday, I spent an afternoon with the Alfiler family in Las Piñas, listening to their stories of moments of faith, prayer, hard work and success. Filadelfo and Rosario Alfiler, a simple couple from Cana, La Paz, Abra, have seven children, one of whom is Dr. Carmelo Alfiler, former director of Philippine General Hospital (2004-2009). In honoring them, we honor their generation who did a lot of hard work and sacrifice. They carried out their calling and mission for the Lord diligently, silently, in all humility and simplicity.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help us to be Your thorough and true disciples. Amen.