Empty, Too, Your Faith

Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

By Melanie Rigney

If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)

Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. (Psalms 17:15)

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources. (Luke 8:1-3)

Piety

Lord, remind that I am not called to take this walk of life alone. Open my heart and soul to the companions You send.

Study

Not even Jesus did it alone.

Of course we know he had the Lord at his side every step of the way, even at Calvary. And of course we know the Twelve and many of his other followers by name. How lovely, though, to consider that this wasn’t a one-way relationship of Jesus giving and giving and giving. Rather, as we are told in today’s Gospel reading, the Twelve, the Galilean women, and “many others” provided for the band of believers. Someone had to gather the food. Someone had to find the water. Someone had to ensure they were clothed.

Yes, the Lord always provides what we need. But it’s heartening to think that sometimes, He does that through the kindness of our friends… and that we needn’t attempt to exclude assistance from others during our spiritual journey. The burden can be lightened by the way He appears in them.

Action

The North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics ministry today begins a weekend leadership seminar in St. Louis for those who serve this group of Catholics. If you know someone who feels distanced from our faith due to a divorce or separation, prayerfully consider opening up a dialogue with that person on the resources available through this ministry.