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Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Reading 1 PRV 30:5-9
Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.
Two things I ask of you,
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, “Who is the LORD?”
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.

Gospel LK 9:1-6
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.


Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. 
Take the Gospel to prayer:

Take a moment to stop and think about a major "first" in your life - first date, first job interview, first time being a parent. You probably prepared as best you could but then there you were...on your own. You did what you needed to take the next step and you accomplished that first...maybe it wasn't a "perfect" event but you got to the other side of it.

Now imagine you are a disciple and have doing your best to learn the teachings of Jesus. You have listened to His message and have watched countless miracles. Now He says: "OK, your turn." I can only imagine the mixture of excitement and fear! But, they stepped up nonetheless...and they were able to do preach and heal by the power He had handed on to them.

These tasks have been handed on to us now. Are we facing the fear and proclaiming with confidence or do we hold back? There is no escaping our human nature, yet God has promised us that He remains with us in the Eucharist and that the Holy Spirit has gifts to give us so that we may proceed with conviction and not fear. So why do we doubt?

Lord as you send me out to face this day, give me the grace to be Your witness through my words and deeds but all for Your honor and glory.