Daily Gospel Reflection for July 3, 2022

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

If there was ever a Gospel reading that could easily apply to the 21st century, this one would be it. Perhaps it’s because Luke, the physician and skilled advocate, wrote it. Of course, a caring doctor like Luke would note that Jesus gave his disciples safety instructions before they left. “Stick together. Only go places that welcome you and be sure to be a good guest. Eat what they give you!” That’s advice that transcends the centuries!

Jesus also told His disciples not to go places where they were not welcome. They would spread the Good News, but if it was not welcomed and well-received, they were to leave and never come back. They were to “shake the dust” of that place from their sandals. That is a serious and dramatic departure.

There’s something for us to remember from this as well. We can share the Good News and Church teaching with our friends, family, communities, and places of employment. But we cannot make the people we talk to accept our words.Our responsibility is just to share the truth in love. After that, sometimes all we can do is walk away.

As sad as that can be sometimes, Jesus gives us hope. The disciples were able to cast out demons and spread the Good News. Jesus told them their names would be written in heaven. Today, God notes our efforts and struggles as well. When we have to leave a difficult situation, we still have the ability to pray for those people. Our God can do wondrous things with that!

Ponder:

Looking back, was their ever a situation in your life where the most faith-filled reaction would have been to walk away?

Pray:

Dear Lord, please help us to share our faith with care and courtesy. Give us the strength and wisdom to know when we should walk away and leave the rest to You.

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St. Luke notes that Jesus gave His disciples safety instructions before they left. “Stick together. Only go places that welcome you and be sure to be a good guest. Eat what they give you!” #dailygospel

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