Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.
Luke 8: 1-3
Where does your support come from? Take a moment to think about all the people who support you… in your family, your church, your friendship circles, your workplace, amongst your acquaintances, in your community, as well as in the wider world.
I wonder how many you have counted… 10, 50, 100, more?
No doubt they support you in different ways and have done for different lengths of time throughout your life. However many you counted, it is good to know that we have people we can rely on for support and to remember that our lives would certainly be poorer places without them.
Jesus didn’t do everything alone. He knew when he needed to rely on others for help. Here we read of the group of women who helped him, and his disciples, to fulfil the mission he had in the world. Jesus was gracious in accepting that support and knew that it was vital to his plans to take that support. Sometimes the help we need at a particular time can come from unexpected people – just as here when those who supported Jesus were women. During this time of reflection may we be ever aware of the help and support we receive, gracious in the receipt and aware of where we can give help to others too.
Let’s give thanks for all those who support us in this prayer:
Jesus, help us to be thankful for all those who support us in our lives.
As we spend a few moments now remembering them by name, we give thanks for all the ways that they help us. Make us gracious in accepting support from them when we need it and make us grateful too when that help comes from unexpected people.
May we do our best to support those around us and remember that you are always there for us.
In your precious name we pray, Amen.
ASecludedPlace 2019 Revisited