Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick–no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them". So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Reflection
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
The warning signs were there: alerts saying needed more storage and a slow running computer. Instead of going to the experts, I read up on what to do. I proceeded to get rid of photographs and unnecessary files and in my naivete thought I figured out the problem and fixed it. After all, the warning signs stopped appearing.
But, here I was a few weeks later, standing in front of a young technician, who gave me a list of options regarding my "crashed" computer. He was very polite, very knowledgeable and most important very patient.
He told me they would do diagnostics, but a new hard drive might be the answer to my problems. However, it might take a few days. I left my computer with the experts trusting on their expertise.
As I was leaving, the young technician asked me about the beautiful necklace I was wearing. He was asking about the blue Miraculous Medal of Mary. He wanted to know who she was. A year ago I would have been grasping for words trying to make sense of what I was saying. But I found how easily I was able to tell him about Mary, and her Son, Jesus. He listened attentively, asked several questions. He thanked me for my time in answering his questions and my thoroughness.
After several years of attending FACE ZBS, PAPA retreats, seminars, teachings, reading spiritual books, the Bible and the Catechism, I can look back and see the progress made in my own spiritual life, especially with the guidance of a spiritual director. Still need a lot of work and correcting in my understanding, but certainly all that I have learned has helped me talk to someone about God, repentance and Salvation without fear of messing up.
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick–no food, no sack, no money in their belts.
I did not go to the store with the intention of evangelizing nor had pamphlets to give out nor entertained any thought that I might bring some good news to anyone. I never imagined the jewelry worn would have caught his attention and from there a conversation.
God sends us out with the Holy Spirit’s strength, fire and words. At the right time, equipped by God, we can be a testimony to others through our words and actions.
My computer was given new life with a new hard drive and ready to go the next day. Thank you, Mother Mary.
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