Hello GVM Reflection Readers, and Grace to you. Please note that we continue to fine tune and improve (hopefully) your experience on the GVM website. Give it a look, and let us know what you think. We are trying to highlight the reflection writers more, and you’ll see other updates.
Today’s Gospel speaks of the disciples heading out to practice their craft of being disciples. They were sent in pairs, as a precursor to our Safe Environment Rules in each Diocese. It was also safer this way. Jesus sent them out to begin doing his work, spread the Good News, and then they would return and compare notes. What struck me the most about the reading was the part about heading out with no food, no luggage, no money, and no second covering to keep warm. Shoes were OK, because they had a lot of walking to do. Traveling “light” is an understatement! I’m not really good about traveling light. When I headed off to California for graduate school, I drove from the East Coast (my parents’ home) all the way there, which was about 3000 miles. Every worldly possession I owned fit into my 1980 VW Rabbit hatch back. It has become ever harder to “travel light” since then. Also note that the disciples didn’t even have a Bible with a New Testament yet. However, they were learning about Catholicism from the best teacher ever, and someone who taught with authority, as Father Archie wrote about on January 31st. He’s my pastor, by the way.
The other part that struck me, is the part about the disciples entering a house, and using it as sort of a home base. Today, this practice is not very common, but our family does our best to support local priests. Over the years, we have become friends with many seminarians, priests, deacons, and religious, and we enjoy having them come over for a meal once in a while. (Father Archie has not been over yet, but we’ll blame this on Covid-19). Our neighbors probably don’t know what to think when the “men in black” come over.…maybe they think of the movie called The Exorcist, or think someone died, or who knows what.
By taking a vow of poverty, the priests need our support sometimes. It’s not an easy job to be a priest, based on what I have experienced over the years. By providing hospitality, a change of atmosphere, and a relaxed social setting, the benefits far outweigh the work of preparing the event. In these Covid-19 times, when meeting in person is not always an option, asking the priests what they might like to eat, or what sort of supplies they might need, is another option to show your support (we have done this with Father Archie). Arrange a drop off at the Rectory, and you can maintain your social distance during this corporal work of mercy.
With Lent approaching, perhaps you can make it a goal to invite a priest, deacon, seminarian, sister or consecrated to dinner or lunch during that 40 Days. If you are involved in one of those vocations, perhaps you can gently convince some parishioners to invite you over for a meal. I also hope that we can travel lightly through Lent this year.
[Readings: Heb 12:18-19, 21-24; Mk 6:7-13]
