Wednesday of the 25th week in Ordinary Time Year A, 23rd September, 2020. The Memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina

 Readings: Prov. 30:5-9, Ps.118, Luke 9:1-6

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

TAKE NOTHING FOR THE MISSIONARY JOURNEY

The way things are going in our world today, we really need to think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are actually ready to live out our faith in the midst hostile environment. Because the hostility, persecution and the influential power of things of this world are not stopping soon rather, it will be getting tougher. Therefore, if we are really willing to live out our Christian faith and obligations towards the mission of Christ, then we need to make a radical decision towards our discipleship in a personal and radical way.

This is what Jesus is teaching his disciples in our Gospel passage today, when he called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’

Here, Jesus does not directly intend to cause tensions and divisions but he wants to expose the sacrificial nature of the mission. Hence, Jesus demands a total commitment towards the journey of discipleship once begun or not beginning it at all. Because, following Jesus demands the sacrifice of all that we have. For none of us can become his disciple if we do not give up our excess desire for worldly pleasures and possession, and pay our unreserved loyalty and allegiance to Jesus over all other competing loyalties in our lives including family, self-interest, and possessions. 

And St. Pio, whose memorial we celebrate today is a good example of a disciples who understood the sacrificial nature of the mission of Christ and lived by it. He remained faithful to Christ’s mission and committed himself wholeheartedly to what God has called him into. Being a pious and devoted disciple, he never ceases to ministering to the people and in being an exemplary person in faith. Many came to believe in God through him and many were strengthened in their faith through his works and piety. Though St. Pio experienced great difficulties in the cause of his mission, this was so serious that they almost have his faculty of hearing confessions taken from him because of his spiritual experiences and grace. 

Dear friends, we are called today to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully carryout the mission of Christ entrusted to us . But  how much are we willing to let go for the sake of the mission of Christ? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus?  What is that habitual desires and possessions that are holding us for making this radical decision today? It is time for us to let them go in order to focus more on the mission  Christ has entrusted to us. Therefore, let us to follow in the examples of St. Pio and all the other great disciple who had given their time, effort and even lives for the salvation of many souls.

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, today we are called to a sacrificial journey of Christ mission. Because our excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts towards our mission, give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly desires, so as to hold firm in our faith despite losing people and things that are dear to us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do have a fruitful day.