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Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest

Reading 1 : Proverbs 30:5-9

Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you will be exposed as a deceiver.

Two things I ask of you,
deny them not to me before I die:
Put falsehood and lying far from me,
give me neither poverty nor riches;
provide me only with the food I need;
Lest, being full, I deny you,
saying, “Who is the LORD?”
Or, being in want, I steal,
and profane the name of my God.

Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163

R. (105) Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Remove from me the way of falsehood,
and favor me with your law.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Your word, O LORD, endures forever;
it is firm as the heavens.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
From every evil way I withhold my feet,
that I may keep your words.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Through your precepts I gain discernment;
therefore I hate every false way.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.
Falsehood I hate and abhor;
your law I love.
R. Your word, O Lord, is a lamp for my feet.

Alleluia : Mark 1:15

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel : Luke 9:1-6

Jesus 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.

Message from the Readings

Today’s readings proclaim a powerful truth:
True discipleship is built on trust — trust in God’s Word, trust in His provision, and trust in His mission.
• Proverbs teaches us to desire truth and depend on God for daily needs.
• The psalm reminds us that God’s Word is reliable, steady, and life‑giving.
• Jesus sends His disciples with nothing except faith, showing that mission flows from dependence, not resources.
The message is clear: God equips those He sends, and He provides for those who trust Him.

 Reflection for the Day

The Gospel is striking in its simplicity.
Jesus sends the Twelve out to preach, heal, and cast out demons — but He instructs them to carry no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic.
In other words:
Their mission must rely on God, not on their own preparation.
This is not carelessness — it is intentional dependence.
Jesus wants His disciples to learn:
• God will open the right doors.
• God will provide the right people.
• God will supply the strength, courage, and resources needed.
Their lack becomes the space where God’s power is revealed.
Proverbs echoes this spirit of dependence:
“Give me neither poverty nor riches… provide me only with the food I need.”
The writer knows that both extremes — too much or too little — can pull the heart away from God. He asks for daily bread, the same prayer Jesus teaches His disciples.
Psalm 119 reinforces the foundation of this trust:
• God’s Word is truth.
• God’s commands give wisdom.
• God’s promises endure forever.
Today’s readings invite us to three movements:

1. Trust God’s Word completely.
   Let Scripture be your anchor and guide.
2. Depend on God daily.
   Ask for what you need today — not tomorrow.
3. Step into your mission with faith.
   You don’t need to have everything; you need to trust the One who sends you.
   Let today be a day of surrender, simplicity, and renewed confidence in God’s provision.

Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, teach me to trust Your Word and rely on Your provision.
Remove my fear of not having enough, and free me from the illusion that I must control everything.
Give me honesty, give me daily bread, and give me courage to step into the mission You have for me.
May my dependence on You be my strength and my peace.
Amen.