9.23.14

Lectio: Lk 9.1-6                            

Meditatio: "He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor food, nor money,, and let no one take a second tunic’.” Lk 9.3                                     

Oratio: O God, You wanted all, who work to bring about Your kingdom on earth, to be completely detached from the things of earth.

I remember Jesus told the 12 ro go and preach and heal but take nothing extra with them - no change of clothes, nor money - to make it clear that His disciples should be detached from material things. In prayer seek the grace to have the right outlook towards things and avoid inordinate attachment to them so that they do not become a hindrance in my carrying out my baptismal call to spread the good news and to  live by it.

I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect: "take nothing”; what a command Jesus gave to the 12!  It is clear He is telling them to avoid attachment to material things and rely on the power of the mission to also take care of any material needs that they may have in carrying it out - and they did;  and they preached and healed and they achieved their mission. In prayer seek to keep material things in right balance so that they do not become the focus of my calling nor a distraction to carrying it out;  and with God’s grace I will be effective in Jesus’ name.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 9.7-9