First reading Proverbs 30:5-9
Give me neither riches nor poverty, only my share
Every word of God is unalloyed,
he is the shield of those who take refuge in him.
To his words make no addition,
lest he reprove you and know you for a fraud.
Two things I beg of you,
do not grudge me them before I die:
keep falsehood and lies far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches,
grant me only my share of bread to eat,
for fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away
and say, ‘the Lord – who is the Lord?’
or else, in destitution, take to stealing
and profane the name of my God.
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):28,72,89,101,104,163
Your word is a lamp for my steps, O Lord.
My soul pines away with grief;
by your word raise me up.
The law from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold.
Your word is a lamp for my steps, O Lord.
Your word, O Lord, for ever
stands firm in the heavens:
I turn my feet from evil paths
to obey your word.
Your word is a lamp for my steps, O Lord.
I gain understanding from your precepts
and so I hate false ways.
Lies I hate and detest
but your law is my love.
Your word is a lamp for my steps, O Lord.
Gospel Luke 9:1-6
‘Take nothing for the journey’
Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.
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Travel light
“Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and do not have a spare tunic”. Jesus sends His disciples on the mission of preaching the Good News. He instructs them not to take anything with them. The message that Jesus wants to highlight to them is the importance of travelling light. Material possessions can get in the way of the mission. Moreover, Jesus wants them to travel light so that they can depend on God. He will provide them with their daily necessities and motivate others to be generous in providing for them.
Today, Jesus calls us to spread the Good News. He needs us to travel light as we journey through life, trusting that He will provide us with what we need. By freeing ourselves from distraction and anxiety over possessions, we can more clearly experience the presence of God within us. Let us have the courage to simplify our lives and rid ourselves of clutter so that we can truly enjoy depending on God in mission and in life.
Reflective question:
Is God prompting me to simplify my life so that I can truly reflect His presence to others?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year B” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
