Today is Friday the 20th of September, the feast of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon and Companions, in the 24th week of Ordinary Time. The Community of Taizé sing “the Kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.” Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke. Luke 8:1-3 Soon afterwards [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. Picture Jesus going through cities and villages. What strikes you about the work he is doing? Is it tiring? Relentless? Purposeful? He’s ‘proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God’. How do you imagine he’s doing this? With words? Actions? Addressing crowds? Private conversations? Stay with those images of his day-to-day life and work. What does he need to sustain this constant giving out of himself? Notice his companions. The writer of this gospel, Luke, mentions ‘the twelve’, but also a number of women by name. As you hear the passage again, imagine how it might have felt to be supporting Jesus in his work. You might want to join in. In these closing moments, you might want to ask Jesus how he felt about his supporters during his ministry. You might want to share with him how you spend your day-to-day life, and ask him to share his thoughts. 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.

Friday 20 September 2024