Wednesday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
In the first reading from Proverbs, the writer is asking God for two things. The first is protection from falsehood and lying and the second is to be provided with only what is needed. The writer desires to trust fully in God and in God’s ability to provide, not of their own doing.
The gospel drives this point home. Jesus gave the disciples and us the power over demons and the ability to heal the sick. We are sent to proclaim the Kingdom and are challenged to do so with a radical trust in God. “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.” (Lk 9:3) Jesus’ demand for radical trust seems counter-intuitive to the culture in which we live. Instant gratification often takes precedence over following our heart for ministry.
Let us reflect on the ways we might trust more deeply and live more simply. Sometimes the baggage we carry can exile us from own faith. Jesus is challenging us to “shake the dust” from our self-loathing and selfish desires so that our hearts will testify only to Him.
"Heavenly Father, we offer this day to you. Lord, create in us clean hearts that desire only to serve You. Help us to live with lives wholly devoted to You. Amen.”
- Michael Montgomery