Luke 9:1-6

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

Take nothing for the journey. That is trust. This is the story of Jesus sending out his disciples two by two to proclaim the gospel. In another gospel it is the 70 that He sends out. But the point is the same, He has begun His public ministry, and He is getting the word out. He is sending them out to every corner of the world to proclaim the truth. This will stir up conversation, and in a couple weeks, He will have thousands coming to listen to the teacher Himself. We will later here of the sermon on the mount, and the feeding of the 4000 and 5000, and those events follow soon after, due to the efforts of these few men.

So what is the message for us. It is the same. If you know God, and have heard His truth, you are compelled to proclaim it to those around you. To spread the word so that all the world can hear that Jesus Christ is the way and the truth and the life. This is how the word was spread at the beginning, and it is how it has been spread ever since. Personal witness from believer to listener is the only and best way to proclaim the gospel. So you too are being called to go out into the whole world, and let all that have ears to hear to That Jesus Christ is lord. Amen

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, help me today to proclaim your truth for all the world to hear.