Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: In thanksgiving for the many Lasallians who have given of their time, talent, and spirit to this summer’s Lasallian formation experiences, and for God’s blessing on their growth and on their work.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 10:24-33
Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
“Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
From the Fourth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Be convinced of what Saint Paul says, that you plant and water the seed, but it is God through Jesus Christ who makes it grow and brings your work to fulfillment. So when it happens that you encounter some difficulty in the guidance of your disciples, when there are some who do not profit from your instructions and you observe a certain spirit of immorality in them, turn to God with confidence. Very insistently ask Jesus Christ to make his Spirit come alive in you, for he has chosen you to do his work.
Prayer
Eternal Father, through your Son we have come to know you. He spoke to us of your perfect love for us, of your constant attention and unbroken faithfulness. Help us to receive this great gift, and to proclaim it as good news to the world. May we walk in your Son’s footsteps as worthy disciples without hesitation or fear, as servants of your people and builders of your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.