Daily Gospel Reflection for February 5, 2015

Today's Gospel: Mark 6:7-13

Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

Jesus didn’t send the Twelve out with much—no food, no sack, no money in their belts, today’s gospel tells us. But he did make sure they had a partner on the journey.

One of the great temptations of motherhood, I think, is the temptation to go it alone. “I can do this MYSELF!” we say belligerently, sounding maybe a little too much like the toddler or the preschooler. It doesn’t matter, really, what “it” is: laundry or caring for others or working outside the home or all of the above.

It’s the great American independent spirit, and, I tell you, it has almost killed me time and again. Jesus didn’t even ask his Apostles to do this, so why do we ask it of ourselves?

Pray with this gospel today and consider who is on this journey with you. Some days, my companion is a friend in the same situation I’m in. Other times, it’s an older, wiser friend. And there are times when family members seem to materialize just when I need them most.

We’re not in this alone. Jesus is with us, and he has given us other people as well. Let’s make sure we recognize that and not fall prey to the temptation to try to do it all alone.

Ponder:

Who can I turn to today when I need support or encouragement or help? Who might need me to be that person for them?

Pray:

Lord, thank you for the gift of the other people in my life. Help me to cooperate with your grace and say yes when I need help and to give help when others need it. Amen.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Sarah Reinhard