Daily Gospel Reflection for September 18, 2015

Today's Gospel: Luke 8:1-3

Today’s gospel is short and sweet. Jesus went from town to town, preaching the gospel with the twelve apostles. It makes mention of some women who were travelling with them, as well as “many others who provided for them out of their resources.” Basically, Jesus had rich friends who sponsored his mission. These women had discovered the real treasure of the kingdom of God and chose to devote their energy and money this way. We know that Magdalene was cured of seven demons, but it doesn't say much about the conversion of Susanna and Joanna.

I had never noticed before that one of his sponsors, Joanna, was the wife of Herod’s steward, Chuza. Surely she had connections and maybe plenty of money. Joanna, Susanna, and Magdalene were “all in.” They literally followed Jesus and invested their time and money for the kingdom.

God’s not asking us to leave our homes and take all our savings and travel on missions. Or maybe he is; I don’t know. But I do know that he expects us to realize that true riches do not lie in material wealth but in the kingdom of God. We must not be attached to our earthly riches or comforts. All blessings and gifts come from God.

Ponder:

What do you do with the gifts God has given you? Are you invested in the spread of the gospel both fiscally and wholeheartedly? If not, why not?

Pray:

Dear Lord, help me to know your will in my life. Direct my steps so that I may use the blessings you give me to build up your kingdom. May I never turn to earthly things for comfort and stability. Instead let me always seek you.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Victoria Garaitonandia Gisondi