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MATTHEW 10:5-8 Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 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.” |
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Gospelthink: As he sent his apostles to help with His call, so in a sense, he sends us who are baptized to continue His work.
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Sharon Stevens had the disease of alcoholism. Like many who suffered from the disease, she was able to lead an average life most of the time. And she was a caring person. She had a successful business as an owner of a hair salon, but she found herself looking to help others. She saw in the paper the story of five-year-old Michelle Schmitt who had just lost her mother and needed a liver transplant. Sharon became immediately responsive to her need. She introduced herself to the family at the funeral and began an incredible time of service to Ed, the child’s father, and to his family. She conducted money-making projects, helped Ed manage his finances better, motivated Ed to find another job, begged the hospital to forgive the immense debt and in general improved the little girl’s chances of receiving the transplant. At the same time she tried to reestablish his connection to her own son. Eventually, however, the alcoholism took over her life, and Ed finally had to ask her to leave his family alone. |
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Jesus chose from the poor of his world those who would be his Apostles and the leaders of the Church which was to form after Jesus left. One can say as a result then that his first followers had their own problems. And further, the one who was the leader totally denied that he knew him at one time; they fought about who was more important than the others; another was His betrayer and the immediate reason why he was executed. Yet, he used them. And gave them power to cure the sick, raise people from the dead, and cleanse lepers, even to control evil spirits. They were flawed human beings, but they did amazing things. In the movie “Ordinary Angels,” Sharon Stevens was a flawed human being. She had a disease that was to eventually completely take over her life—alcoholism. But even with that major fault, she cared about others. And in particular, she learned to care about one little girl to su3ch a degree that it is no exaggeration that the little girl could have life because of Sharon. A study of her life would probably reveal that she was helping Michelle Schmitt simply because she needed to help herself and was “hiding,” but there is little doubt that she truly cared for the little girl. There is a tremendous and important lesson there. We are all flawed human beings in one way or another. We may not be the victim of alcoholism or some other completely enveloping disease, but we are flawed in some way. By the very fact that we are human, there will be “problems” that obsess us, and we need the opportunity to honestly see ourselves. It is true to say, however, that just as the Lord chose flawed apostles, just as he chose an alcoholic to save another’s life, he also chooses us. If we are Christians, that is, followers of Jesus, we are all called to minister to the world in which we live. There is someone right now in our life who can benefit from something that I can do. It might be very small—like giving a compliment; or something quite big—like leading a community to do the right thing. But it is our calling. The Lord calls us, no matter how flawed we are, to do his work! |
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PRAYER Good and gracious God, You are well aware that the world in which we live needs Your help. And you will give us that help by using us to bring it about. Help us be more aware of the people in our lives including ourselves who could have a better living because of the help that you and I can give them. Be with us, we pray. |
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+++++ GUIDE FOR CLASSROOM PRESENTATION AND PERSONAL ENRICHMENT Theme: People who willingly
help others often have their own personal problems. 3. How can we best treat the disease of alcoholism? 4. Do most people in our world take the time to study what their “flaws” are? Yes or no and why? 5. What is the greatest need in our society right now, and can “normal” human beings like me do anything about it? |
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Fr. Mike Scully is a member of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America |
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