In today’s readings, there is no doubt that God takes care of His own.  In the first reading, we have the story of how God put Joseph in the right place at the right time.  Then the psalmist encourages us to rely on God’s continuing presence.  The Alleluia transition marks the time from “before Jesus” to the fulfillment of God’s plans.  And the Gospel has Jesus sending out the apostles to do for the people what he has done.  Is his command placed in our hands now?

After Jesus sent the apostles out, they returned reporting remarkable success.  In Jesus, the people expected miracles, and the apostles, watching, walked in faith and actually did them!  And they had not yet received the Body and Blood at the Last Supper.  They truly woke up at Pentecost.

Peter Julian walked through France and Italy with zeal and love for the Eucharist.  He shared it: teaching people to pray in the presence of the Eucharist; to practice the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy; to be brothers and sisters devoting their lives to releasing Jesus from the tabernacle and putting him into everyone’s heart; encouraging frequent reception of communion and fervent prayer throughout day and night.  Those are the footsteps we walk in.  Yes, just as the Father placed Joseph, just as Jesus sent out the apostles, His command is placed in our hands now.

Let Us Pray 

Jesus, rising from the dead, you gift us with all we need to carry out our mission with the simple command, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Open our eyes to receive your gifts and learn to use them effectively, completely, and to the best of our ability, “with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.”