Consoling the Heart of Christ

Memorial of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, Priest

Luke 9:1-6

He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Opening Prayer: Lord Jesus, I look to you as my Father and the source of my being. I know that your heart is heavy with sorrow over the sufferings of your creatures. I want to be with you and console you during this time of prayer. Help me to hear your heartbeats, and to feel compassion for those who suffer.

Encountering Christ:

1. Apostleship: Anyone who has encountered the love of God becomes an apostle because, as St. Paul says, we are new creations…“the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). As the Lord’s apostles, we share in his power and authority. How many of us live our lives recognizing that, as followers of Christ, we are able to be the hands, feet, and mouthpiece of the Lord? “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). 
2. Take Nothing: One of the conditions of being an apostle is reliance on the Lord. We are called to give Christ, not ourselves. This requires emptying ourselves of personal interest, of receiving something in return, of relying on our own talents. An apostle is an ambassador of the Lord, giving to others Christ’s riches. When we detach from false securities, trusting in God as our one security and knowing that he will provide everything, we are truly instruments of his power and authority. 
3. “Whatever House You Enter, Stay There”: If we encounter someone on the journey who is open to the Lord, God may ask us to stay there, to linger, to deepen that relationship. There is wisdom in planting a seed deeply and cultivating the ground around it before moving on to plant another seed. As Scripture tells us, the seed that falls in dry ground will not bear much fruit, but the one that falls in fertile ground will bear much fruit. When we take the time to prepare the ground by patiently answering questions, providing quality resources, and testifying to Chris’s love in the little things of everyday life, we are sharing the healing power of Christ’s love with those to whom God sends us. 

Conversing with Christ: Lord, I want to know your heart, to love what you love and to minister as you would. Grant me the grace of total security in you and reliance on you. Help me to be docile to your inspirations, reaching out to souls you place in my path and generously giving them all they need to encounter you. 

Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will take some time in quiet prayer to ask you where you are calling me to share your message in some tangible way with others. 

For Further Reflection: Reflect on the meaning of tilling the soil; do a search for its meaning and compare it to spiritual tilling. 

Writen by Renee Pomarico.