Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint 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.
Accompanying him
1. They travelled around. At this point I want to focus on a somewhat sensitive issue: they accompany Jesus, but they do not seek to be seen. There are times when one seeks social recognition and even to appear in public, to be seen by others. It’s as if we needed to show in public what we do for others and we like to see what people feel for us. A question I pose to you is: why do we have to make public what is private? Whose recognition is so important to us? Jesus appears in the Gospels accompanied, but we can see how He takes care of this bond with his own. Keeping things private is a way to protect the people you love. I like to think of Jesus who makes community, but who takes care of his relationships. What about you? Do you take care of your relationships?
2. Jesus shares. How lovely to see Jesus sharing what he lives with others! But notice He shares with his apostles and some women, not with everyone around. If you share good news with people, and they don’t rejoice, then don’t tell them anything else. Rather share with people who rejoice because God has heard you and has blessed you. Good people who are happy when they see you well understand that God can also help them. But there are people who believe that if God helps you, He will not help them. So, learn to refocus your life and understand what God wants for you. Remember that by walking with the disciples, Jesus taught us to be in communion with God, sharing and giving sound testimonies of faith, showing us the importance of communion with others.
3. Women. The Gospel tells us about these women who accompany Jesus. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every woman who works for the glory of God. I want to thank you for teaching others about Jesus even when you are not valued for the work you do, or even when you are mocked. Thank you for the testimony you give. I want to thank those who clean the church, those who organize fund-raising events for the construction of the church, those who cook food for the priest who does not have enough to eat, those who take the Gospel and catechism to unexpected corners, those who pray the rosary for others they don’t even know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, because like those women who followed Jesus, you continue to spread Christ’s message. Thank you for embracing the love of Jesus. Thank you for your service to the Church.
Never forget that something good is on the way!
God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
