Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

Accompanying him were the Twelve…. and some women who provided for them out of their resources.

Interestingly, several women were among Jesus’ close followers. The lesson is that some people responded to their healing by helping provide Jesus with his mission. What Luke is saying is more than that Jesus had domestic help as he went from place to place, but that all of those mentioned had been healed of various illnesses. They were grateful women. Mary Magdalen seems sicker (and more grateful) than the rest. I am reminded of the Gerasene demoniac whose evil spirits identified themselves as “Legion” because there were so many. Out of gratitude for his being freed by Jesus, this man wanted to become a disciple, but Jesus told him to stay and minister among his people. The women in today’s gospel passage also wanted to show their gratitude tangibly. Many, by implication, did not do so.

We might well ask how we respond to everything Jesus has done for us over the years. He has made us his people through baptism. He remains with us in the sacrament of the Eucharist. He nourishes us at his altar, at the table of his word and flesh. How do we show our gratitude? What do we do to advance the mission of our Lord consciously? Love, flowing from our many blessings, should express itself in some concrete action. There are many reasons why gratitude is not more prevalent in our society. One is simply because we tend to take so much for granted.

How do I thank the Lord for everything he has done (and continues to do) for me?

Let Us Pray:

Create a grateful heart in me, O Lord. May I show my gratitude by how I live my life.