The Spirit of your Father will speak for you

Readings: 1^st: Hosea 14:2-10; Ps: 50; Gos: Mt 10:16-23

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today, the Friday of the fourteenth week of ordinary time, Mathew continues with the instructions of Christ to his disciples, in preparation for their mission.

As students under formation for future missionary work, we usually look forward to hearing from confreres on brief vacation from their various missions, share their experiences with us.

While some might paint a very discouraging image, others will simply say: “Mission is very interesting.” Of course, this does not mean that, it was very easy for them.

So, one may conclude that, even with the best preparations, different persons (even in the same mission), may experience it differently. That is, for different persons, the same mission, might have different faces.

In today’s gospel, Christ reminded his disciples that, mission is not “a bed of roses.” Rather, it is full of ups and downs. At the same time, he reminded them of the need to always trust in God.

He said to them: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves!” Then, what follows was the nature, and the ways these wolves will manifest themselves during the disciples’ mission.

This simply means, that we might encounter them differently, even in the same mission. Nothing could be more direct than this to a new missionary.

Rather than to scare them, Christ was preparing their minds beforehand, on the nature of their mission. It was to prepare them to face, and embrace the reality and enormity of the task before them.

However, in the midst of all these, there is a consolation: “Do not worry about how you are to speak… the Spirit of your Father will speak for you.” This is another blessed assurance!

Indeed, no true missionary walks alone. The Holy Spirit, the principal agent of mission always accompanies him. He is the one who provides the strength to endure, and to move on. This is especially, at the most difficult times.

So, let us ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of fortitude until the end, both for ourselves, and for all true witnesses of Christ.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha