“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...” (Luke 9:3)
Saint Ambrose of Milan offers the following insight on this verse from today’s Gospel proclamation:
“This is a great vision. But if you wish to see it, remove the sandals from your feet. Remove every chain of sin. Remove the chains of the world. Leave behind earthly sandals. Jesus sent the apostles without sandals, without money, gold and silver, so that they would not carry earthly things with them. The one who seeks to do good is praised not for his sandals but for the swiftness and grace of his feet. The Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, of those who bring glad tidings of good things!” Therefore remove the sandals from your feet, that they may be beautiful for preaching the gospel.” (Flight From the World, 5.)
Collect
May you be magnified, O Lord,
by the revered memory
of Your saints Cosmas and Damian,
for with providence beyond words
You have conferred on them
everlasting glory, and on us,
Your unfailing help.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
by the revered memory
of Your saints Cosmas and Damian,
for with providence beyond words
You have conferred on them
everlasting glory, and on us,
Your unfailing help.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
