A reflection on Luke 9:1-6
Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
He 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.
Luke 9:1-6
We Fly to Thy Patronage
The words of the couplet drew inspiration from an ancient prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary called “Sub Tuum Praesidium,” or “We Fly to Thy Patronage.” The figure of the Virgin is especially dear to St. Luke, the first iconographer of the Blessed Virgin Mary, according to Sacred Tradition.
The Evangelist also wrote the account of the Annunciation, from which the ancient “Hail Mary” prayer comes (Luke 1:26-38). Mary’s role as Mother of God makes her patronage ever-present and hidden in God’s providence for creation.
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God;
despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.
Apostolic healers flew from village to village—
Penniless preachers under God’s patronage.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《身無分文的傳教士》
使徒治療師從一個村莊飛到另一個村莊——
他們是上帝庇護下身無分文的傳道人。
Dear GMC, Thank you for teaching us this prayer. What a beautiful prayer to learn , apply, and learn again. Most Holy Theotokos, tuo Filio nos reconcilia (Reconcile us to your Son).