Photo was taken at Tooreenbawn, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

This picture was taken on Friday night and the light from the setting sun was pure orange. I took the photo next to a Sycamore tree to create a silhouette.

Thought on Sunday – July – 15/07/2012

The following reflection is by Jane Mellett called ‘Be Church’

Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. ~Mark 6:7

Jesus calls the disciples by name, recognising their individuality and their gifts. Yet he sends them out in twos so they must work together. Sometimes we may feel we can do his work alone or that we have all the right answers. We should celebrate our gifts but also recognise the things that perhaps we cannot do in the faith that others compliment our efforts. The disciples can only bring a staff, sandals and a single tunic, no baggage to be brought with them on their mission. Early Christians travelled light, relying on the generosity of others and this has a lot to say to us today.

It might seem harsh for Jesus to tell the disciples to shake the dust off their feet when they are rejected by people. We constantly fear rejection and when we experience it, it can leave us feeling exhausted and upset. Jesus’ message here may be to free ourselves and move on. To not let that disappointment and upset control our lives because if we do, we lose our freedom, it holds us back and it starts to define us.

a quotation to finish…

‘For the people of God who are sent to support us, for the people of God who are sent to disturb us, for the people of God who are sent to inspire us, for the people of God who are sent to trouble us, for the people of God who are sent to enthuse us, for the people of God who are sent to still us, thanks be to God.’ ~Peter Privett