Today’s gospel account from Luke is very simple, but if we lived out its implications, we and our world would be dramatically changed for the better!

Luke mentions how Jesus journeys “from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God” (Luke 8:1). Once Jesus begins his public ministry, he is constantly on the go, preaching and proclaiming the good news, as well as healing people of “evil spirits and infirmities”.

The key point – Jesus does not do so alone. Luke tells us that he is accompanied by the Apostles, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others. They also are not just people tagging along for a good walk. This group is not just present here but will also remain with Jesus all the way to the cross, the tomb, and the resurrection (Mary and Joanna are recorded to see Jesus first). The Apostles have left all to follow Jesus and many of the women are providing financial support for Jesus and the Apostles.

What is important to Jesus is not amassing wealth from a speaking tour but building relationships. Paul, who encounters Jesus after his resurrection and ascension echoes this message in the first reading from today. He writes that: “If we have food and clothing, we shall be content with that” and, “the love of money is the root of all evil”.

One of the key messages of the good news from Jesus is that we are not to put money, material goods, or even anyone else before our Father in heaven. The Apostles, as we witnessed yesterday with Matthew, left everything and everyone behind, and followed Jesus. Mary Magdalene, healed from being possessed by seven demons, was not only grateful but continued to follow Jesus and became the apostle to the Apostles when he sent her to announce to them that he had rose from the dead.

We are to surrender to God’s will in the unique way that he has called each of us. We will receive his guidance the more we are willing to open our hearts and minds, receive and abide in his love, and then share it with one another. Christianity is not a Lone Ranger religion where God is calling us to do everything on our own. As we grow in intimacy with Jesus, we are also to do so with a core, intimate group of people of mutual support as well.

Just like we need to spend time with Jesus to get to know him, we need to do so with others. Intimate and chaste relationships are possible as we see recorded here, though as with anything worthwhile, building relationships takes time, energy, commitment, dedication, and a willingness to grow in the love that God is sharing with us and calling us to aspire to embody as well. That means we need to be willing to allow Jesus in to heal us in those areas that create friction and conflict in our relationships.

We don’t heal or grow in isolation. We need times to step away and to be still with God, but we ultimately heal and grow in relationship and community. And as we begin to heal, we are encouraged to accompany and be there for others who still are rough on the edges. As St. John of the Cross wrote, “Where there is no love, put love, and you will harvest love.”

Photo: With Jack and Christy, Pacific Palisades hike in August.

Link to the Mass readings for Friday, September 22, 2023