better than being there
"The Twelve accompanied Him, and also some women." —Luke 8:1-2
When Jesus "journeyed through towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God" (Lk 8:1), He was accompanied by the twelve apostles "and also some women." Jesus chose to be accompanied by several people when He proclaimed His word. Put yourself in Jesus' times. What if you had the opportunity to help Jesus! What if you could buy Jesus lunch or invite the townfolk to hear Him! What if Jesus asked you to follow-up His teaching by talking with those who had just heard Him! What an amazing privilege!
However, we do have the privilege of accompanying Jesus. Jesus is alive and still proclaiming His word. We don't have to live in Jesus' times; He lives in our times, which makes them His times. Furthermore, we have more than the privilege of accompanying Him. Through baptism, we have even become members of Jesus' body (1 Cor 12:12). We are His tongue, feet, hands, eyes, ears, etc. We are in Jesus and He in us (see Jn 6:56).
So let us joyfully exercise our privilege of accompanying Jesus' proclamation of the word. Moreover, let us offer our bodies to Jesus (see Rm 12:1) as "weapons for justice" and evangelization (see Rm 6:13). May we spend what is left of our lives (see 1 Pt 4:2) in accompanying the Word, living in Jesus, and having Him live in us.
Prayer: Jesus, may I consider it a privilege to work for You.
Promise: "If our hopes in Christ are limited to this life only, we are the most pitiable of men. But as it is, Christ is now raised from the dead." —1 Cor 15:19-20
Praise: St. Robert was the great nephew of Pope Marcellus II and spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Brilliant in Church teaching, Robert found his faith in the person of Jesus Christ.
Reference: (We offer two upcoming October retreats: Lay Members of Christ's Faithful People, Oct. 4-7, and How to Renew Your Parish, Oct. 8-9. Call 937-587-5464 for details.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2010
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