Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

Year of Saint Joseph

Year of the Family "Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love"

Saints: Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion, Martyrs (d.287)

Readings of the Day

RB: Ch 5:1-13 Obedience

Mass: Ezra 9:5-9; Resp Ps (Tb 13); Lk 9:1-6

Blessed be God, who lives forever.

HEART OF JESUS, SOURCE OF ALL STRENGTH AND COURAGE,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

In today's Gospel, Jesus summons the Twelve, and with power and authority bestowed upon them by Him, Our Lord sends the Twelve to proclaim the Kingdom of God and heal the sick. They are sent with these instructions: Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. If you are not welcome, move on from that town, and shake the dust from your feet (Lk 9:3-5). The Twelve got busy then, and went out as instructed by the Lord. 

A fitting commentary on the Twelve's ready obedience to the Master, is found in Saint Benedict's Chapter 5, "Obedience." Saint Benedict begins in this way: "The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience, which comes naturally to those who cherish Christ above all" (RB 5:1). Do we too cherish Christ above all? Are we people who "immediately put aside their own concerns, abandon their own will, and lay down whatever they have in hand, leaving it unfinished. With the ready step of obedience, they follow the voice of authority in their actions. Almost at the same moment, then, as the master gives the instruction the disciple put it into practice in the fear of God; and both actions together are swiftly completed as one" (RB 5:7-9)? It's a mouthful and a life-long journey. However, that's what disciples of Jesus are all about. May we conform to the saying: I have not come to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me (Jn 6:38/RB 5:13). 

We are not in our own power; but in the power of God.

(Saint Perpetua)

You will lose nothing of what you have renounced for the Lord, for in its own time it will return to you manifold.

(Saint Mark the Ascetic)

All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

(Blessed Julian of Norwich)

SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGION,

SAINT JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: We enjoyed some of these delectables for dinner yesterday, prepared superbly, and with great care, as is our custom.

© Gertrude Feick 2021