Wednesday 1 September 2021
Today is Wednesday the 1 September, in the 22nd week of Ordinary time.
One Hope Project sings, ‘Come Close’.
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 4:42-44
At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.
It’s exhausting being devoured by other people’s needs. Even Jesus feels it and has to escape to find peace and quiet, a time for prayer and reconnecting with God and with himself. He needs inner resources if he is to be at the service of others. Have you ever felt like this? Where do you go to seek peace?
The crowds don’t want Jesus to leave them. We know that he will never leave us – it is we who leave him by not living in his presence. How can we develop and nurture that sense of the abiding presence of God? How can we reach out to Jesus without trying to pin him down to serve our own purposes?
Jesus needs time alone in peace, but he also wants to proclaim the kingdom of God. Listen again to how he tries to balance both desires.
Remembering your own sense of purpose and also your need for renewal and refreshment, what thoughts and feelings do you want to share with God about this Gospel passage?
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.