Good Evening Dear Light Bearers!
I hope everyone had a good day and that you managed to squeeze in time for self-care and reflection.
Welcome to retreat day part II. Tonight is when we are given our instructions for going out into the world as light bearers and change makers via the Gospel that was selected for the Feast Day of Anskar Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary to Denmark and Sweden, 865 ,February 3 or [4]
Let us use the same way we have been doing our Bible Study and let it sink into our hearts and give us the information we need to do what God is Calling us to do.
Read Aloud.
What words or phrases speak and stand out for you?
Mark 6:7-13
7He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts;9but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. 10He said to them, ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ 12So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Read Aloud!
What is the scripture saying to you?
Mark 6:7-13
Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
7 Yeshua summoned the Twelve and started sending them out in pairs, giving them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He instructed them, “Take nothing for your trip except a walking stick — no bread, no pack, no money in your belt. 9 Wear shoes but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place; 11 and if the people of some place will not welcome you, and they refuse to hear you, then, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them.”
12 So they set out and preached that people should turn from sin to God, 13 they expelled many demons, and they anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Read Aloud!
What is the Gospel and God Calling you to do?
Mark 6:7-13 The Message (MSG)
The Twelve
7-8 Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions:
8-9 “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.
10 “And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.
11 “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.”
12-13 Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.
++++++++
Here is what came to my mind:
We need to practice Ark work by going out two by two! Remember God never wants us to do ministry alone.
We need to pack light.
We need to be patient.
We don't need to stay at the Biltmore!
Be quiet and leave places where you aren't welcomed and don't raise a fuss.
Read the last two verses again beginning with The Message.
1.
12-13 Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.
2.
12 So they set out and preached that people should turn from sin to God, 13 they expelled many demons, and they anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
3.
12 So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. 13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Read again silently with this version of the Bible.
Mark 6:7-13 The Voice (VOICE)
7 and He called the twelve to Him and began to send them out in pairs. He gave them authority over unclean spirits 8 and instructed them to take nothing with them but a staff: no money, no bread, no bag, 9 nothing but the sandals on their feet and the coat on their back.
Jesus: 10 When you go into a house, stay there until it is time for you to leave that town. 11 And if someone will not accept you and your message, when you leave, shake off the dust of that place from your feet as a judgment against it. [On the day of judgment, that city will wish for the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah.][
12 And so His disciples went out into the countryside, preaching the changed life[c] as Jesus had taught them, 13 casting out unclean spirits and anointing the sick with oil to heal them.
I know that's a lot of Bible but we need to spend some time being grounded in scripture so we have a toolkit to go out and spread the Good News of the Gospel without fear, being the light, packing light, and following the example of Jesus. We need to picture what Jesus instructed his disciples and us to do out on our missionary journey. Notice we don't even get to carry a Torah or Bible. We are all that is needed to preach the Good news.
Do you think you could do this? Do you think you could traverse your town or countryside without any resources? I believe when we are called to missionary and Gospel work we need to become the least of these. With little we have a lot! Without a Bible we must be a living one! We must change our lives first before we help proclaim, heal, and serve the least of these and help change their lives. Being the change will be tomorrow's topic.
Let us make vigil and pray.
Light of the World Phos hilaron
Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days
Dear Ones Let us take time for our Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigil and be at prayer. Tonight let us take time to offer our thanksgivings as part of our prayer time. Let us remember this night our family members who are living on the margins and in need of help. Let us Remember to pray for all cancer patients, caregivers,family members of cancer patients, survivors, oncology nurses, oncologists, radiation techs, radiation oncologists, and researchers on this World Cancer Day. Let us continue to pray for an end to hatred, violence, bigotry, and disunity. We pray for peace, love, and justice and universal human rights and equality for all of our family members wherever they may be.
Psalm 69:13-16
Salvum me fac
13 Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, *
and the drunkards make songs about me.
and the drunkards make songs about me.
14 But as for me, this is my prayer to you, *
at the time you have set, O LORD:
at the time you have set, O LORD:
15 "In your great mercy, O God, *
answer me with your unfailing help.
answer me with your unfailing help.
16 Save me from the mire; do not let me sink; *
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.
Canticle B
A Song of Pilgrimage Priusquam errarem
Ecclesiasticus 51:13-16,20b-22
Before I ventured forth,
even while I was very young, *
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
In the forecourts of the temple I asked for her, *
and I will seek her to the end.
From first blossom to early fruit, *
she has been the delight of my heart.
My foot has kept firmly to the true path, *
diligently from my youth have I pursued her.
I inclined my ear a little and received her; *
I found for myself much wisdom and became adept in her.
To the one who gives me wisdom will I give glory, *
for I have resolved to live according to her way.
From the beginning I gained courage from her, *
therefore I will not be forsaken.
In my inmost being I have been stirred to seek her, *
therefore have I gained a good possession.
As my reward the Almighty has given me the gift of language,*
and with it will I offer praise to God.
Zephaniah 3:9-12
At that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
and serve him with one accord.
and serve him with one accord.
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
my suppliants, my scattered ones,
shall bring my offering.
my suppliants, my scattered ones,
shall bring my offering.
On that day you shall not be put to shame
because of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
because of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
your proudly exultant ones,
your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
in my holy mountain.
in my holy mountain.
For I will leave in the midst of you
a people humble and lowly.
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord
A Song of the Wilderness
Isaiah 35:1-7,10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Canticle 15
The Song of Mary Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Acts 1:1-9
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
A Song of True Motherhood
Julian of Norwich
God chose to be our mother in all things *
and so made the foundation of his work,
most humbly and most pure, in the Virgin’s womb.
God, the perfect wisdom of all, *
arrayed himself in this humble place.
Christ came in our poor flesh *
to share a mother’s care.
Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; *
our true mother, Jesus, bears us for joy and endless life.
Christ carried us within him in love and travail, *
until the full time of his passion.
And when all was completed and he had carried us so for joy, *
still all this could not satisfy the power of his wonderful love.
All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, *
for the love of Christ works in us;
Christ is the one whom we love.
Mark 6:7-13
Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Matthew 5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes
5 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the [a]mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,
3 “[b]Blessed are the [c]poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the [d]gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
― Teresa of Ávila
Almighty and everlasting God, who sent your servant Anskar to sow the seeds of faith among the people of Scandinavia: Keep your Church from discouragement in the day of small things, knowing that when you have begun a good work you will bring it to a fruitful conclusion; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Anskar to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we also in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
God give us courage to go out into your world on your behalf to serve you and all our family members.
God help us to continue to pay it forward from the depths of our hearts.
God give us the tools to practice random acts of kindness and that we may use them with our hearts and for the good of all.
God may we bring joy and love to others without fear and help us to do this boldly, but gently.
God we pray that we may go out and serve the least of these with love, joy, and mercy.
God we pray in thanksgiving for all the many blessings you have abundantly given us this day remembering especially____________
God we pray that as we pay it forward this fragile world of yours may be renewed into the loving world you created.
God we pray that we may practice random acts of kindness by accepting your invitation to do this with joy, love, hope, and peace.
God we pray that as we bring joy and love to others we may see you in our family members faces and in the lights in their eyes.
God we pray for all who mourn may we go out and comfort them.
God we pray for all who are dying and who have died that we may continue their legacy of giving by paying it forward.
God we pray for ourselves and on behalf of others by not only with our spoken prayers but in our prayers in the form of random acts of kindness.
We lift up these our prayers in Jesus' name who taught us many things that are contained in today's wish Go out ! Pay it forward, Practice Random Acts of Kindness, Bring Joy and love to others!. Amen.
or these!
God of all comfort be with us this night as we pray for peace in this world and that we may live into our baptismal covenant with you and each other.
God of all comfort may we seek as one family with you to find solutions that will stem the tide of all violence and terror.
God of all comfort may we seek with you to find our true calling and life path.
God of all comfort give us strength to speak out firmly and lovingly for those who haven't any voice.
God of all comfort give us all a return to common sense. Take away from us all temptation to fall into a mob and hate mentality.
God of all comfort we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing of their bodies, minds, and spirits.
God of all comfort may we be sources of comfort one to another and listen to you with our heart homes for those who are in need of help and may not be able to name their needs.
God of all comfort may we ever be mindful of our family members who are grieving losses and pre- grieving.
God of all comfort we pray for all who have been senselessly murdered for who they are. Grant to them eternal rest.
God of all comfort may all of us who struggle to live authentically without fear be able to speak and live our truth valiantly and with courage.
God of all comfort we pray and give thanks for_________________________
We lift up these our prayers in the Holy name of Jesus! Amen.
Remember to pray for all cancer patients, caregivers,family members of cancer patients, survivors, oncology nurses, oncologists, radiation techs, radiation oncologists, and researchers on this World Cancer Day!
God of all comfort may we seek as one family with you to find solutions that will stem the tide of all violence and terror.
God of all comfort may we seek with you to find our true calling and life path.
God of all comfort give us strength to speak out firmly and lovingly for those who haven't any voice.
God of all comfort give us all a return to common sense. Take away from us all temptation to fall into a mob and hate mentality.
God of all comfort we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing of their bodies, minds, and spirits.
God of all comfort may we be sources of comfort one to another and listen to you with our heart homes for those who are in need of help and may not be able to name their needs.
God of all comfort may we ever be mindful of our family members who are grieving losses and pre- grieving.
God of all comfort we pray for all who have been senselessly murdered for who they are. Grant to them eternal rest.
God of all comfort may all of us who struggle to live authentically without fear be able to speak and live our truth valiantly and with courage.
God of all comfort we pray and give thanks for_________________________
We lift up these our prayers in the Holy name of Jesus! Amen.
Remember to pray for all cancer patients, caregivers,family members of cancer patients, survivors, oncology nurses, oncologists, radiation techs, radiation oncologists, and researchers on this World Cancer Day!
The Song of Simeon
Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always
protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow
the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)
Today's wish:We never forget that we have a heart full love and a purpose from which to give.
Would you like to know more about our Saint of the Day ? Click on his name below:
Good Night Dear Ones! I love you! I give thanks to God for you this day and always! Tomorrow we talk about being the change in the world we want to see.
Be light, love, and comfort,
Sara
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