PLACE OF REFUGE
By Philip Yuson
“He called the
twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons,
and to cure diseases. He sent them forth to preach the Kingdom of
GOD, and to heal the sick. He said to them, "Take nothing for your
journey, neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither
have two coats apiece. Into whatever house you enter, stay there,
and depart from there. As many as don't receive you, when you
depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a
testimony against them. They departed, and went throughout the
villages, preaching the Good News, and healing everywhere.” (Luke
9:1-6)
Jesus first picks out Twelve from His disciples and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure all diseases. After this, He sent them out on a mission. What does this show?
It shows that when Jesus sends someone out on a mission, He does not just send them out. He equips them with everything they need to succeed. Notice also Jesus sends them out on a journey. Our life is a journey. It is a journey towards Jesus and leading people to Jesus.
How long has it been since I took a break in writing for the Genesis Community? Three years if I am not mistaken. During those three years, many things have happened. My children have grown up. My thirteen year old son is taller than me now. My daughter is one year from university. I have been more involved in our Parish community. My consulting business is growing and I get a sense that the Lord is leading me to greater heights.
All these are nothing compared to what I have learned in my spiritual life in Jesus. I have learned more about the Church making me love her more. Of course and more important, I have come to know more about Jesus – Who is the main purpose of my life.
Through it all, I have to thank several people whom the Lord used to lead me to know him. First of course is my wife who has always been there to support me. Second is my pastor. I really thank GOD for giving our Parish a wise priest who is not only orthodox in his teaching, but really, truly loves Jesus and his Church.
In all these years, I have been involved in our Parish's RCIA program. For those who do not know, RCIA is the program to prepare adults to the Church. My pastor has assigned me talks in the program and I also have the privilege of sponsoring several people into the Church. Hopefully, providing them with a good example of what a true Catholic should be. Through all these, I have come to realize one thing – the only way to grow in Jesus really is to know Him. The more I get involved in my ministry, the more I am convinced that the only way to true repentance is a deep and sincere personal relationship with Jesus.
As one deepens in his personal relationship with Jesus, one gets to speak more about Him. The more one speaks about Jesus, the more one will know Him.
John 9 tells us of a blind man whom Jesus healed. If you read the whole Chapter, you will notice something about this man. As he was being questioned by his neighbors and the leaders, he spoke about Jesus. As he spoke about Jesus, he gets closer to knowing Him fully. First, he called Jesus a man, then a prophet. As the leaders continued asking him about Jesus and how he was healed, he asked his leaders if they wanted to be His disciples. Then in their last question, the man said that Jesus is from GOD. Because of this, he was thrown out of the community. And this was when Jesus revealed Himself fully to the man.
What does this all mean? As Christians, we are commanded to preach Jesus. Preaching Jesus is easier than you think. As the blind man just spoke of what he knew about Jesus, we are called to do that. We do not need degrees in Theology or Philosophy. We need to speak of what GOD has done for us – that’s it!
Know Jesus so we can preach Him – this is our mission in life. May the Lord grant us a fruitful year – one where we can grow in knowledge of the Lord in holiness and truth.