September 18, 2026 // Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Gospel: Luke 8:1-3 

Reflect on the Word //

My circle feels small. I don’t mean intentionally or exclusively, but realistically. When I sit in front of God and ask Him how can I do more, how can I impact the world for Him, and only see a small number of people in my periphery, I can feel a sense of inefficiency or self-doubt. How can I make anything happen with only these few? Surely there must be a bigger sphere I should enter into; surely this is not enough. 

And then I look at the Gospel for today (see Luke 8:1-3), simple and concise, a reminder of this original small group, who walked along Christ Himself, and changed all of history. 

They walked with Christ. This is the key. It is not you or me. It was not them; it never was. It was Jesus Himself effecting change through His tender mercy and grace, in the hearts and minds of each soul the twelve and their companions met. They only had to humble themselves, to follow and to trust. 

A handful of people is not many when compared to all of humankind, but it is what God Himself chose. Humans—flawed, proud, afraid. He is not asking for goodness or for holiness only; that’s too easy. He wants the whole of us, so that we can say “through You, I can do all things” (see Philippians 4:13). And so the world can see it too. 

Let’s readjust our vision with whatever small world God has given us. Our families and workplaces, our friends and neighbors. This is the mission field, just like it was for the Apostles. Our job is to close ranks with Jesus Christ, in the same way they did, and to lead the masses to Heaven. Our militia is a conversion of the heart, one by one—through Him, with Him, and in Him. It’s always been the only way. 

Relate to the Lord // Ask the Lord to highlight your small sphere of influence. Pray for them with intention today.