Connections&  
June 16, 2002--Tenth Sunday of the Year
"Jesus' heart was moved with pity for the crowds, because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.  He summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over   unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and illness.
"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." 
    Matthew 9:36-10:8

Don't punt your son's  birthday present
Dad asked his son what he would like for his approaching sixth birthday.  Now his son was usually very specific about what he wanted--to the point of being able to tell them the exact aisle and shelf location at Toys R Us where Mom  and Dad will find the toy or game in question. 
     But his son's request this time was a little different.
     "I'd like a ball to play with for my birthday."
      "Great," his dad said.  "What kind of ball?"
     "I guess either a football or a soccer ball."
     "Well, which ball do you want more?"
     The boy thought about it for a second and said, "Well, if you have some time to play ball with me this year, I'd really like a football so we could throw it back and forth.  But if you're going to be real busy this year, maybe you just better get me a soccer ball, because I can play soccer with the rest of the kids in the neighborhood."
     Dad said, "Tell you what.  Let me surprise you.  How does that sound?"
     The little boy said, "That would be great, Dad.  I really love you."
     But it was Dad who was surprised-- surprised and touched that his young son was not so much interested in the gift as in the giver.
[Bill Butterworth.]


CONNECTION: Jesus' commission of the Twelve to proclaim God's coming and to "cure" the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons" is entrusted to us, as well, who are Christ's disciples here and now.  But the means of such a seemingly daunting task is found in the last line of today's Gospel:  to give as we have received, without cost.  Dad has the opportunity to bring the love and caring that is of God into his little boy's life by making and spending time with him - time that Dad has been given by the God of love and compassion.  May we possess the untiring hope of faith that compels us to bring healing and resurrection into the lives of others by our generous giving to them of the love, support and forgiveness that God has so readily given to us.  u