First Reading: Wisdom 8:9-16
Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she would give me good counsel and encouragement in cares and grief. Because of her I shall have glory among the multitudes and honor in the presence of the elders, though I am young. I shall be found keen in judgment, and in the sight of rulers I shall be admired. When I am silent they will wait for me, and when I speak they will give heed; and when I speak at greater length they will put their hands on their mouths. Because of her I shall have immortality, and leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me. I shall govern peoples, and nations will be subject to me; dread monarchs will be afraid of me when they hear of me; among the people I shall show myself capable, and courageous in war. When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her, for companionship with her has no bitterness, and life with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 67:2-5, 7-8
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, [Selah] that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise thee, O God; let all the peoples praise thee! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for thou dost judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. [Selah] The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. God has blessed us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
Gospel: Luke 9:1-6
And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
As I dig into the reading for today, I find myself once more marveling at how the Old and New Testament are interwoven to inform one another. Alone, the Gospel reading from Saint Luke paints a pretty stark picture. Here, these men, Christ’s disciples, are given the power of the Holy Spirit (which is of course awesome), and then they are basically cast into life as nomads. They are instructed to take the minimum—less than that of a refugee—and to forth to preach and heal in Christ’s name.
What a heavy charge!
I love Jesus, but I am not sure I would be able to walk out my door with nothing but the sandals on my feet. No bag, no bread, no money? I can’t even leave to run the kids to school in the morning without bringing my cuppa joe.
I would find myself thinking, Well what about that bread I have on the counter? Surely I am going to get hungry . . . and it is just sitting there . . . I wouldn’t want to waste it . . . .
When this Gospel is paired with the scriptures of Wisdom and the Psalm, we see a much more complete picture. It is one of rejoicing, and praise, and living a life for the glory of God.
They don’t walk alone and empty handed. They have the Holy Spirit providing all that they need, and this means wisdom too. They walk filled with the Gifts of the Spirit and they bring Wisdom with them.
“I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she would give me good counsel and encouragement in cares and grief . . . .”(Wisdom 8:9)
The road on which they travel was not an easy road, yet they travel with joyful hearts, that all may come to know our God. It is a beautiful adventure, not a lonely journey. We get to choose our travel companions, but too often I forget to invite Wisdom on my travels. I leave love behind as search for my key and phone and I watch the clock and push to get things on my agenda accomplished so that I can feed my own pride. Today I choose to instead invite Wisdom with me, and perhaps I will bring others to Christ as I journey along my path. Who are you taking with you today?
This is a beautiful adventure, not a lonely journey.Click to tweet
Where are you on your walk with God and who is going with you? Bitterness or Wisdom? Jealousy or Kindness? Resentment or Love?
MaryRuth Hackett is a full-time wife and mother doing her best to teach her four children to love God and country. You can find out more about her here.
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