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 7:19-23

and sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?’ ” Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits and had given sight to many who were blind. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight; the lame walk; those with a skin disease are cleansed; the deaf hear; the dead are raised; the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

Reflection

When John the Baptist’s disciples question Jesus about His identity, Jesus points to His works of healing and liberation as evidence. This reminds us that the presence of the Messiah is marked by acts of compassion, healing, and justice. We are inspired to look for and recognise God’s work in our world today through similar acts of kindness and transformation and to participate in these works ourselves, embodying the love and mercy of Christ in our daily lives.

The signs of the Messiah’s presence are not found in political power or doctrinal complexity but in the healing and restoration of people. This calls us to embrace our responsibility in continuing Jesus’ mission of bringing good news to the poor, healing the broken-hearted, and liberating the oppressed. It encourages us to actively contribute to building God’s Kingdom by addressing the needs of those around us, fostering wholeness in our communities, and living out the values of the Gospel with courage and compassion.

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

Lord, if your people need me, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done.

– Saint Martin de Tours

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.