“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Friday, 22nd September 2017,
Twenty fourth Week in Ordinary Time
1 Tim 6: 2-12;
Ps 48: 6-10, 17-20;
Lk 8: 1-3
ACCOMPANYING JESUS!
Luke informs us about the vital role which a large number of women played in supporting the ministry of our Lord and his disciples. Regardless of the diversity among the women, they all seemed to have in common that: Jesus had miraculously delivered (healed) them of conditions for which there was no human solution. In one sense, the group which accompanied Jesus was a testimony to the identity of Jesus Christ as Messiah. These women were not mere ‘clingers-on’, they were active contributors to the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom. When Jesus sent out the 12 (Lk 9: 1-6) and the 72 (Lk 10: 1-12), He told them to take nothing. That was because they were to be ministering to those to whom they came, among whom they lived and served. They loved Christ so much, they served him and his followers out of their whole being.
The desire to follow Jesus was not only an emotional one. Certainly there were emotions involved. There was incredible gratitude and, as a result, a deep emotional bond. But the bond went so much deeper. It was a bond created by the gift of grace and salvation. These followers of Jesus experienced a greater level of freedom from sin than they had ever experienced before. Grace changed their lives and, as a result, they were ready and willing to make Jesus the center of their lives following Him wherever He went.
Have you allowed Jesus to pour forth an abundance of grace into your life? Have you allowed Him to touch you, change you, forgive you and heal you? If so, have you then repaid this grace by making the absolute choice to follow Him? Following Jesus, wherever He goes, is not just something these Apostles and holy women did long ago. It’s something that we are all called to do daily.
Prayer: Lord, please do come and forgive me, heal me and transform me. Help me to know Your saving power in my life. When I receive this grace, help me to return to You in gratitude everything that I am and to follow You wherever You lead. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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