Luke 8:1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. 

Opening Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to your will. Make me courageous in proclaiming my faith and generous in sharing my resources.

Encountering Christ:

1. Journeying with Christ: What an amazing time in salvation history was unfolding! The Son of God, who came “eating and drinking” (Matthew 11:19) going from town to town, preaching, sharing meals with the people he met, joyously proclaiming the good news! Not only the chosen apostles accompanied him. Grateful women who had experienced his healing accompanied him on this joyous journey. We can only imagine the excitement as people in the towns and villages gathered to hear the good news or the wonder of the Twelve as they came to a deeper awareness of who Jesus is. We too feel the wonder and excitement of knowing Jesus as we draw nearer to him on our own journey through prayer and the sacraments.

2. Cured of Evil Spirits: The women who accompanied Jesus were living witnesses to his divinity. They were living proof that the long-awaited Messiah could cure a person of evil spirits by driving out demons. Their presence among the disciples became a witness to the crowds of Jesus’s divine power and authority. As modern disciples of Jesus, we are also called to acknowledge the miraculous presence of Christ in our own lives and witness to those in need of God’s healing power.

3. Providing from Their Resources: The women who followed Christ offered practical help that Jesus needed to continue his mission. They provided food and drink for the journey; by taking care of these physical needs, the women freed Jesus and the Twelve to focus on their divine objective—spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God! These corporal works of mercy had an immeasurable impact on Christ’s mission. When we perform corporal or spiritual works of mercy, we are serving our neighbor, but also in a very real and tangible way serving Christ, as these women did.

Conversing with Christ: Jesus, I am touched when I contemplate how many people served behind the scenes to help you in your earthly ministry. Please open my eyes so that I can see where my time, talent, and treasure might better serve you today. Make me keenly aware of the many blessings you have bestowed on me. Ignite a fire in my heart to give myself to others with a generous and thankful spirit.

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will identify a specific area where I can practice one of the corporal works of mercy in my life and act upon it.

For Further Reflection: The Corporal Works of Mercy.