Wednesday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: For comfort and relief to all victims of natural disasters, especially in regions where aid and resources are scarce.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
From the First Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
God wills not only that all come to the knowledge of truth but also that all be saved. He cannot truly desire this without providing the means for it and, therefore, without giving children the teachers who will assist them in the fulfillment of his plan. This, says Saint Paul, is the field that God cultivates, the building that he is raising, and you are the ones whom he has chosen to help in this work by announcing to these children the Gospel of his Son and the truths that are contained in it.
Prayer
Eternal Father, each day of our lives is a new call to follow you and to do your will. We pray that we will hear you and answer with our promise to follow your ways. May we deny ourselves, take up our own crosses, and proclaim your Son’s Good News through our work, our service, and our love for others, especially those entrusted by you to our care. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.