In today’s Gospel reading, we see this important term: Jesus “summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness” (Matthew 10:1). Do the disciples turn from that encounter and walk around eliminating all the trials and sufferings of others? Is a true desire from the recipients for healing part of the “curing equation,” so to speak? We have the example of Jesus asking the blind man what he wants before healing him. In other words, it seems that when we are summoned by God, either for our own healing or to be an instrument of healing for others, we need to truly desire it. If we are honest with ourselves, there have likely been times when we may not have wanted true healing. Maybe it was because we were afraid of change or thought we could protect ourselves better than God could through our unhealthy patterns of escapism or numbing. Often, the addictive behavior that we beg to be healed of stems from a deeper spiritual wound. Not only might that be where the real healing needs to take place but it can be a wound that we’re not ready to receive healing for, such as our hardness of heart, feelings of unworthiness, self-reliance, or pride. Truly wanting this type of healing requires a willingness to surrender completely to God’s will for our lives.

Saint Ambrose was given a rather clear summons when he was appointed to bishop without initially wanting to be and without even being baptized yet! Ultimately, he responded with a true desire to both receive God’s grace and be an instrument of grace to others, becoming a well-respected preacher, confessor, and doctor of the Church. Without Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine may have never become the great saint we know today, let alone have even converted to Christianity. This reminds us that when we answer Jesus’ summons in our own lives, like the Twelve in today’s Gospel reading, we never know just how He will use us to bring others to Him. Today, in responding to the Lord’s summoning, let us remember that faith and sobriety are gifts from God and go forth carrying Christ’s message because “without cost (we) have received [and] without cost (we) are to give” (Matthew 10:8).

Reflection Questions

• How is Jesus summoning you today? As a disciple, to whom are you being called to bring His healing and freedom?
• How would your faith and recovery practices change if you truly believed that Jesus could and would cure your every wound?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 147: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Reflection by Allison H.