A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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.
REFLECTION: ...some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities....... who provided for them out of their resources.
God, the Father, loves us so much and wishes us eternity with Him in His Kingdom. Jesus travelled from town to village accompanied by women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities.
Their great love was the consequence of having been saved. They were indebted to God for His salvific grace. They supported and provided for Jesus and His disciples out of their means. They fell in love with Him because He first loved them. We see such love in our own churches: women travelling far for bible studies, cleaning the church, teaching CCE and faith formation, caring for elderly parents, cooking for the priests, praying for the priests and daily keeping Jesus company in Adoration. We see it in many who practice patience in the toils of their daily life.
These women were dead to themselves due to their sinful ways. They became empowered in their words and their actions. Being with Jesus daily was like daily Adoration, sitting, listening and learning to defend and explain their faith.
Their justification came from the grace of God and with this grace of salvation they were able to partake in His divine nature. And yet, still in the future, there was the grace to be obtained in the long suffering love of Jesus on the Cross.
A beautiful guide to God's tremendous grace can be found in Father Michael's treatise of The Practicing of Patience as the virtue of Love enduring evil and delivering us from temptation and bringing us into salvation. Please read the blog by Gertrude Peacock on Father's treatise.
God Bless You
