The feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and Our Mother of Sorrows begin this week, Monday and Tuesday. Saints Cornelius and Cyprian occur on Wednesday. Even as feasts of saints occur, it’s good to follow the gospels assigned to this week for the perspective they bring.

Readings from Luke’s 7th and 8th chapters this week sum up  Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Certain themes from Luke’s gospel appear in the readings.

Luke wants us to know that Jesus reached out to the gentiles even in his early ministry in Galilee, and so he relates the cure of the centurion’s slave -Monday’s usual reading. “I have not found faith like this in Israel,” Jesus says, praising the gentile centurion.

Luke then tells us Jesus raised the widow’s son to life-Tuesday’s usual reading. Jesus takes care of the poor. 

On Wednesday we have Jesus’ short description of the reception Jesus receives from his generation. They are like children playing in the marketplace, so intent on their own games that they pay little attention to him. Does that also describe our generation today too? In the western world it seems Jesus himself, not just his church, receives scant attention. Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples, who ask if he is the one who is to come.The blind, the lame, the deaf are healed and the poor have the gospel preached to them, Jesus tells them.

 On Friday, Luke offers an interesting picture of the followers of Jesus. As he journeys from one town to another some women, Mary Magdalene is most prominent among them, follow him and support him from their resources. Now only twelve men, but women are his followers. Another theme of Luke’s gospel.