First reading Ezra 9:5-9
‘God has not forgotten us in our slavery’
At the evening sacrifice I, Ezra, came out of my stupor and falling on my knees, with my garment and cloak torn, I stretched out my hands to the Lord my God, and said:
‘My God, I am ashamed, I blush to lift my face to you, my God. For our crimes have increased, until they are higher than our heads, and our sin has piled up to heaven. From the days of our ancestors until now our guilt has been great; on account of our crimes we, our kings and our priests, were given into the power of the kings of other countries, given to the sword, to captivity, to pillage and to shame, as is the case today. But now, suddenly, the Lord our God by his favour has left us a remnant and granted us a refuge in his holy place; this is how our God has cheered our eyes and given us a little respite in our slavery. For we are slaves; but God has not forgotten us in our slavery; he has shown us kindness in the eyes of the kings of Persia, obtaining permission for us to rebuild the Temple of our God and restore its ruins, and he has found us safety and shelter in Judah and in Jerusalem.’
Responsorial Psalm Tobit 13:2,4,6-8
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
God punishes, he also has mercy,
he leads men to the depths of the grave,
he restores men from the great destruction.
No man can escape his hand.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
It is he who scattered us among the nations.
Among them must we show forth our greatness
and exalt him in the presence of all living;
for he is our Lord and our God,
our Father and our God for ever.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Now think what he has done for you,
give thanks to him with all your voice.
Give praise to the Lord for his justice
and exalt the king of all ages.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
In this land of exile I will thank him,
and show forth his greatness and might
to the race of sinful men.
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
Sinners, come back to him,
do what is right before him.
Who knows but he will receive you with pity?
Blessed be God, who lives for ever.
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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Take nothing for the journey
We, like the Twelve, are also sent out to share in Jesus’ mission of proclaiming the Good News of God’s love through our words and actions. In the passage, Jesus told His disciples,“Take nothing for the journey”. But what does this mean for us today? It is unimaginable for us to go on a journey without getting ready for it. We want to feel that we control everything and be prepared, especially for all possible contingencies.
Jesus reminds us to let go of the need to be self-sufficient and to depend solely on God. It is when we surrender to God and allow Him to be the one leading us in the journey that we experience Him giving and providing us in the most unexpected ways. Often, He looks after us in and through the kindness and generosity of others. Thus, in participating in this missionary journey with Christ, He invites us to take nothing with us, i.e., let go of the need to control, be independent, and depend on God, who often provides through others.
Question for reflection:
What prevents me from letting go of my need to control and be self-sufficient?
What prevents me from letting go of my need to control and be self-sufficient?
