Presence

It is always nice to be in the presence of friends. You, O Lord, are my closest and truest friend. May I never forget the friend I have in You.

Freedom

Lord grant me the grace
to have freedom of spirit.
Cleanse my heart and soul
so I may live joyously in Your love.

Consciousness

Where do I sense hope, encouragement, and growth areas in my life? By looking back over the last few months, I may be able to see which activities and occasions have produced rich fruit. If I do notice such areas, I will determine to give those areas both time and space in the future.

The Word of God

¹After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ²He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ ⁶And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. ⁷Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. ⁸Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; ⁹cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’^,

Inspiration

By instructing his disciples not to carry spare tunics or money or sandals, he is telling them to focus not on themselves but rather on their mission to preach and to heal the sick. God will provide all that they need through the people they encounter. 

Our world is in great need of spiritual guides and shepherds. Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Conversation

Sometimes I wonder what I might say if I were to meet You in person, Lord.
I think I might say “Thank You, Lord” for always being there for me.
I know with certainty there were times when You carried me, Lord,
when it was through Your strength that I got through the dark times in my life.

Conclusion

I thank God for these few moments we have spent alone together and for any insights I may have been given concerning the text.

Amen