How wonderful it is to gather as One community to listen to the Word and Will of the Lord for each and every one of us. This is the surest way to grow in our faith and relationship with Him and with one another.
Blessed are we who are prepared to go into homes to share the living Word in homes ready and willing to receive us. So that we can minister to them through the grace and power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I recall not too long ago when a sister in Christ and I went to a home of a fellow sister in Christ to share the Gospel. She had prepared a feast for us. However just as we were about to begin sharing her husband calls informing her that he was coming home and that he did not want guest at home when he returned. We felt sorry she was put in that uncomfortable position and excused ourselves. My partner and I decided to make our way to the residents swimming pool to continue sharing the Gospel with one another and intercede for her. She came down about an hour later to see us off and shared that she had an argument with her spouse who was stressed out with their plans to move. We took the opportunity to pray for and over her. Then we walked together to the train station. Just as we were about to reach our destination, her husband called to make peace and to invite her out for a movie. We praised and the thank the Lord!
Let Your Word Lord be a lamp unto our feet. Amen
Saint Faustina Kowalska pray for us…
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First reading
Nehemiah 8:1-12 ·
All the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law
When the seventh month came, all the people gathered as one man on the square before the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses which the Lord had prescribed for Israel. Accordingly Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women, and children old enough to understand. This was the first day of the seventh month. On the square before the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and children old enough to understand, he read from the book from early morning till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose. In full view of all the people – since he stood higher than all the people – Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before the Lord. And Ezra read from the Law of God, translating and giving the sense, so that the people understood what was read.
Then Nehemiah – His Excellency – and Ezra, priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people, said to all the people, ‘This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.’ For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law.
He then said, ‘Go, eat the fat, drink the sweet wine, and send a portion to the man who has nothing prepared ready. For this day is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of the Lord is your stronghold.’ And the Levites calmed all the people, saying, ‘Be at ease; this is a sacred day. Do not be sad.’ And all the people went off to eat and drink and give shares away and begin to enjoy themselves since they had understood the meaning of what had been proclaimed to them.
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Gospel
Luke 10:1-12
Your peace will rest on that man
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.” I tell you, on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.’
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