Friday of the 3rd week of Lent

Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 9:1-6

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey: no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” So they departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Reflection

Jesus sends out the Twelve on their mission with the instruction to take nothing for their journey – no staff, bag, bread, money, or extra tunic. This directive emphasises a life of simplicity and total dependence on God’s providence and the hospitality of others. Embracing such simplicity encourages us to focus on the essentials of our faith and trust in God’s provision, freeing us from the distractions of material concerns and allowing us to be more effective in our mission to spread the Gospel.

The disciples are called not only to preach the Good News but also to heal the sick and cast out evil forces. Their mission involves both words and deeds, reflecting the holistic nature of the Kingdom of God. This dual approach inspires us to live out our faith through both proclamation and compassionate action. By addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those around us, we embody the transformative power of the Gospel and make the Kingdom of God a tangible reality in our world.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Fellow Pilgrims

Let us do our part, and God will then do what He wills. This is God’s cause, and all will end well. My hope is in Him; do not be distressed.

– Saint Teresa of Ávila

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.