DAILY GRACE

September 18, 2020, Friday of the 24th Week of Ordinary Time

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Meditation:

       ‘. . . and many others, who provided for them . . .“

This Gospel passage about the women followers of Jesus follows upon the story of the sinful woman who loves much because much has been forgiven her. We are told that because of her deep love for Jesus she anoints his feet; she has accepted God’s forgiveness and her heart overflows in response. In a way that story of responding to God’s love, forgiveness, and healing continues here.

These women accompany and provide for Jesus and the disciples in response to the invitations to love. All these women have a story —- we know, for example, that Mary Magdalene was freed from seven demons. They have each experienced firsthand God’s love, forgiveness, and healing in such an overwhelming way that their hearts are flooded with a desire to love in response.

In Adeste, a Christmas song written by some Catholic sisters, a line says, “what can I give him, the Lord of creation?” The response is, “hearts that are eager to love without measure, to Bethlehem’s poor child are presents of gold.” We too are faced with the question of how to respond to God’s love.

Luke’s Gospel doesn’t say exactly what these women provided. This, I think, is a wonderful vagueness, for it doesn’t so much matter what they gave, as that they did it.

Prayer

    Lord, each day you flood me with love and innumerable blessings. You have carried me when I have been at my lowest points and danced with me when I have rejoiced. My heart overflows. May I today allow the love you have given me to flow over to others. . . . and perhaps provide for them as those women provided for you.

Contemplation

In return for what I’ve been given, what can I give?

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