First Reading - Proverbs 30:5-9
Gospel - Luke 9:1-6
In the first reading from Proverbs 30:5-9, we hear the words of Agur, a man who speaks with great humility and wisdom. His prayer to God is simple, yet profound. He asks God to protect him from falsehood and to give him neither poverty nor riches, but only his daily bread. Why? Because Agur understands the human heart. He knows that extreme wealth can lead to self-reliance, arrogance, and forgetfulness of God, while poverty can lead to desperation and dishonesty. Agur’s prayer for "daily bread" echoes the very words that Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).
This reading teaches us an important lesson about balance and dependence on God. We live in a world that often glorifies wealth, power, and success. Society tells us that the more we have, the more secure we will be. But Proverbs reminds us that true security comes from trusting in God, not in material wealth. Agur asks for enough to sustain him each day, neither more nor less, because he recognizes that too much might lead him to forget God, and too little might tempt him to dishonesty. In this simple prayer, we see a deep spiritual truth: we are called to live in humble dependence on God, knowing that He will provide for our needs.
In the Gospel of Luke 9:1-6, we see Jesus sending out His twelve apostles on a mission. He gives them power and authority over demons and the ability to cure diseases. But what stands out most is His instruction to travel light. Jesus tells them to take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and no extra tunic. They are to rely completely on the hospitality of those they encounter and, ultimately, on God’s provision.
This is a powerful lesson for us as modern-day disciples. Jesus is teaching His apostles—and by extension, all of us—that our mission is not to be weighed down by material concerns. The apostles were to go out into the world with simplicity, humility, and trust. Their mission was to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to bring healing to those in need, and they were to trust that God would provide what they needed along the way.
This Gospel challenges us to examine our own lives. How often do we feel burdened by the things we think we need—our possessions, our status, our comforts? These things can become obstacles to living out our mission as followers of Christ. Jesus calls us to travel light, to let go of the excess baggage that holds us back, and to trust that He will provide for us as we serve Him.
Today, my dear friends, we are invited to reflect on two key aspects of our Christian journey:
First, trust in God’s providence—like Agur in the first reading, we are called to rely on God for our daily needs. We must recognize that everything we have comes from God, and we should strive for a life of balance, free from the extremes of excess or want. When we place our trust in material wealth or earthly security, we risk losing sight of God. But when we humbly ask for our "daily bread," we acknowledge that God is the source of all we need.
Second, living our mission—the Gospel reminds us that we are all called to be missionaries in our own way. Whether we are sent to preach, to serve, or simply to live out the Gospel in our everyday lives, we are called to go forth with trust and simplicity. We don’t need to carry the burdens of the world with us. Instead, we are invited to trust in God’s provision and to focus on the work of building His Kingdom—proclaiming the Good News and bringing healing to a world in need.
How can we live out these lessons in our daily lives?
First, let us cultivate an attitude of gratitude and dependence on God. Each day, when we pray, let us ask God not for wealth or success, but for the grace to trust Him for what we truly need. Let us ask for the wisdom to live simply and to place our security in Him, not in material things.
Second, let us consider the "baggage" we may be carrying that is weighing us down spiritually. What are the things in our lives that distract us from fully trusting in God or from living out our mission? Is it an attachment to wealth, status, or comfort? Jesus invites us to travel light, to let go of what is unnecessary, and to trust that He will provide.
Finally, let us remember that we are all missionaries, sent by Jesus into the world to proclaim His love and healing. Whether in our families, our workplaces, or our communities, we are called to be lights of Christ. We don’t need to have all the answers or all the resources; we simply need to go forth with faith, knowing that God will use us to bring His Kingdom to those around us.
As we reflect on today’s readings, let us take to heart the call to trust in God’s providence and to live out our mission with simplicity and faith. Just as Jesus sent His apostles out with nothing but His blessing, so too are we sent into the world, not relying on material things, but on the grace and power of God. May we always seek to do His will with humble hearts, and may we trust that He will provide for us as we walk the path of discipleship.
May God bless us and guide us as we strive to live in His love and service, trusting always in His providence. Amen.
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