Matthew 10:7-13

Meditatio (Reflecting)

As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

Oratio (Responding)

In todays passage, we are focusing on the power that Jesus gave his apostles to heal and exorcise. In fact he gives us all that same power, from our baptism. We also, have the power to heal others, and even drive out deamons. The difference is authority. In order to be effective you need both. Power gives you the ability to do something in gods name, but it is only under the correct authority that your powers will actually be effective. Jesus’ apostles are the predecessors to our current bishops. A bishop has the full power of jesus for healing and exorcising, but his authority is limited to the jurisdiction of his diocese. Every single soul in his diocese is under his protection and anyone that he also bestows that power on (ie an exorcist). The bishop and his designated exorcist are the only ones that have the authority to drive out deamons in other people in their diocese. The father of a catholic home has the same power and authority, as a bishop, but his jurisdiction is limited to his own home and his own family. Without the proper authority, or if you swerve outside of your authority, you will attract the attention of other deamons and possibly recieve relatiation. Everything in Gods kingdom is governed power and authority, and if you do not have both, the deamons will notice, because they are like lawyers from hell, and they follow gods law to the letter. It is funny, but they respect god’s law better than most humans do, but they know all the loopholes in the law, and they will exploit them all, and punish you dearly if you step out from under gods protection. But the message for today is that (with the proper authority), we have the power to heal and to excorcise, in our homes, in our families, and in our places of work. So, if we have this opportunity, and are properly positioned, we should do so the kingdom of god depends on it.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.