September 26, 2018

Lk 9:1-6

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons 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 your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic.

Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

We have all the tools we need

I am a planner. If I am asked to do something, I prepare for hours, days, weeks for it. I never get up in front of a crowd without my typewritten notes that at least one person has proofread for me. Around this time last year, however, I was faced with a situation for which I had no notes. I had to get up and address 1,000 people with no prior planning. I found myself saying “Lord, give me the tools I need. Let your words come from my lips.” And, I believe they did.

As rational human beings, we spend most of our life planning for every possible outcome and situation … but we cannot prepare for everything. In the Gospel reading today, the Lord is asking us to trust that all the tools we need, we have. God has given them all to us.

What are the tools the Lord has given you to face the unexpected situations in your own life?

—Gretchen Crowder is the Director of Campus Ministry at Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Dallas.

Prayer

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you
does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, will I trust you always though
I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

—Thomas Merton