Last summer, I made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and spent a month journeying from town to town in my rental car. The conveniences of modern travel were a stark contrast to the physical demands that Jesus and His disciples endured as they hiked from village to village.
Can you imagine literally walking with Jesus for three years? The uncertainty of knowing where the next meal would come from or where they would be laying their heads that evening demonstrates the disciples’ beautiful trust in Divine Providence.
In today’s Gospel passage, Saint Luke includes the women Mary Madgdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others who were using their resources to provide for Jesus and His Apostles. (See Luke 9:1-3.) The generous hearts of these women must have cooked countless meals, washed and repaired numerous tunics, and nursed the sick.
Can you imagine their laughter, songs, and joy? They likely had such beautiful conversations with people who had encountered Jesus.
Their little acts of love strengthened and encouraged Jesus as He proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom of God. What little acts of love from you might help strengthen and encourage the Church today?
The third Luminous Mystery of the Rosary is the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Do you remember these magnanimous women as you contemplate this mystery of light? Although Jesus’ closest followers may have heard some of the same stories over and over again, they must have gained such a profound knowledge of the Sacred Heart and the Kingdom of God as they listened to their master. We are invited to this same intimacy.
Let us ask these Saints for their intercession with Saint Paul’s words to Saint Timothy: “pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
Learn more about the Luminous Mysteries shared by this beloved pontiff.
Rose Coleman is a contemplative in action who delights in all things beautiful. Her adventurous heart has traveled many places—from circumnavigating the globe on a ship during college to some years in the convent as a religious sister. Exuberant from her childhood, she is an elementary school teacher who learns so much from her students. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book, Rise Up and the author of our Blessed Conversations: Ways to Pray study found here. You can find out more about her here.
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