Tony Worner, our Leader of Formation, presents our Gospel Reflections this week and today reads from the Gospel of Luke (10: 17-24), in which Jesus tells his disciples, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see”.

After hearing on Thursday that Jesus sent the disciples out “like lambs among wolves”, and the difficulty that was to be encountered, today we hear them returning “filled with joy”. They haven’t experienced anything like this before.

Tony says, we know ourselves that there are low times and high times … there are both plateau and mountain top experiences.

Jesus reminds us of the need to rejoice in the good times and be grateful to God for the blessings we receive, and to also ask for help and guidance during those down or dark times.

For most of her life, St Teresa of Kolkata didn’t encounter the wonderful transfiguration experience of Peter, James, and John on Mt Tabor, but instead experienced a real loneliness. However, she constantly prayed that God would be with her in all her workings.

Br David Stendl-Rast a 93-year-old Benedictine Brother gives a wonderful TED Talk on, If you want to be happy, be grateful.

And so, Tony invites us to pray …

Lord, give us the child-like simplicity of faith to gaze upon your face with joy and confidence so as to experience your love. Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from receiving your word with trust and humility.