Mark 6:7-13
It is amazing how the standard of living in Singapore has risen, especially in the area of affluence.
We take so many things for granted now, without thinking how it was back then.
For eg, maybe 40 years ago, each house has only one TV set, and it’s usually placed in the living room.
Now, each room has a TV set, and maybe all are connected to cable TV with over 40 channels to chose from.
Probably the only room that does not have a TV, well not at least I know of, is the toilet.
But maybe because the toilet is like a reading room. People bring newspapers and magazines in there to read.
Maybe also because the reading material comes in handy if the toilet paper runs out!
But it is not just TVs that is a reflection of our affluence.
The number of computers or laptops in each household is amazing.
Plus of course the accessories of comfort and entertainment, like the home-theatre-system, the aircon units, the crystal lighting and what have you.
Indeed, most of us are very proud of our well-furnished and well-decorated homes, and in a way, it reflects the level of our affluence.
But let’s say, let’s just say, although it’s not nice to say such things, let’s just say that our house is now on fire.
And we have only 3 minutes to retrieve whatever is most precious to us. Now, what would it be?
What is it that we are willing to risk our lives for, in order to save it from being destroyed?
Of course, I am not talking about that kind of drama where the baby is left in one of the rooms, or the paralyzed parent is still in the bed. That is TV kind of drama.
Church drama is about what are the most precious possessions that we have at home.
So if there is a fire now at home, and we have only 3 minutes to save what is most precious to us, what will it be?
Will it be that biscuit tin that is tucked away in an obscure cabinet which contains the hard-earned cash of our life savings?
Well, other than that I really can’t think of anything else that is more important.
Or would we be contented with just taking a pair of shoes and a walking stick?
Well, that was what Jesus told his disciples to take as He sends them forth to proclaim His Word.
He didn’t give them time to pack; or time to think; just the clothes they were wearing, a pair of sandals and a staff and off they go. That was about it. Nothing more.
We might even ask: How about the Bible? At least ask them to bring the Bible lah!
Well, priests and religious and pastors should bring their bibles along everywhere they go to proclaim the Good News.
And This Monday, the priests of the diocese are going for their annual retreat.
We priests are cordially reminded: Please bring your own Bible. So it means we cannot share Bible. Sounds like going for exam.
But the Bible, the Word of God, is not just a thick book that is often carried under the arm, or placed at the home altar for adoration, or hidden in some biscuit tin in some obscure cabinet.
The Word of God is dynamic, in that when God speaks, He also creates. When God said : Let there be light, and there was light.
When He said : let us make man in our image and likeness, man was created, in God’s image, in God’s love.
So God’s word created us, God’s Word shaped us into His image and likeness, and God’s Word is stamped into our very being.
In a way, we can say that God’s Word is made flesh in us. It cannot be taken away from us.
It is precisely God’s Word in us that makes us turn to God and to thirst for God.
St Augustine would express this yearning for God in a prayer like this: O Lord, our hearts will not rest until they rest in you.
Yes, it is only in God that we know we have come home, that indeed we are at home.
And this homing instinct is not so mystifying or mysterious.
Even animals show that they have this homing instinct.
Take for example, the green sea turtles. The green sea turtle will lay eggs on a particular beach.
When the eggs hatch, the baby turtles will instinctively head for the sea.
After about 40 years of swimming in the sea and surviving the dangers from predators and other elements, the green sea turtle reaches reproductive age.
Then she will swim all the way back to that particular beach where she was hatched. They call it the natal beach.
It is on that and only that particular natal beach, she will lay her eggs of the next generation of sea turtles.
The problem comes in when that particular natal beach is destroyed or reclaimed or whatever.
I really don’t know what the sea turtle would do. But one thing for sure, the sea turtle is lost, because the natal beach is lost, and with that the next generation is lost.
The story of the sea turtle reminds us of this: We have to preserve and safeguard the natal beach of our hearts.
Because God’s Word created us and God’s Word is planted deep in our hearts for us to find God and come back to Him.
And that’s why reading the Bible is imperative, it is a must.
Because the written word of the Bible will awaken the Word of God that is planted deep in our hearts.
The Word of God awakens us and spurs us into action, to go forth and awaken in others the Word that is in them.
Today, being Bible Sunday, Jesus sends us forth to proclaim His Word.
And I ask you to bring one thing – that is, this little card that was given to you as you came in.
On this card are 2 promises. God promised that He will be with us always.
The other promise is that His plans for us are always for our good, so as to give us hope and a future.
We need to believe in these promises from God.
We must believe in these promises.
When we don’t, then we ourselves have destroyed the natal beach of our hearts, and we would be lost.
But when we believe, then we must also show that we believe.
Take this card, and more if you want, and give it to those who need to hear about God’s promises.
Especially those who have their hopes and their future destroyed by the fires of bitterness and disappointment.
We pray, that with the aid of these humble cards, we will help others to find their natal beach and come home to God.