Reading 1
2 Tm 4:10-17b
Beloved:
Demas, enamored of the present world,
deserted me and went to Thessalonica,
Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Luke is the only one with me.
Get Mark and bring him with you,
for he is helpful to me in the ministry.
I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas,
the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.
Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm;
the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
You too be on guard against him,
for he has strongly resisted our preaching.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Responsorial PsalmR. (12)
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Gospel
Lk 10:1-9
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter,
first say, ‘Peace to this household.’
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”
Meditation: Luke 10:1-9
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” (Luke 10:2)
Jesus really had a farmer’s eye. In a few words, he compared the spiritual potential of Israel to a field ready for harvest. He had a plan to capitalize on this favorable spiritual season. It involved sending out his disciples, two by two. “Come on!” Jesus may have told his followers. “Let’s get our hands a little dirty!”
Jesus wanted to inspire his disciples because he was about to send them out to do something they were unused to doing: preaching about the kingdom of God. Indeed for most of us, sharing the gospel is one of those activities we would probably rather leave to the people we think are more spiritual, like priests and ministers. For one thing, the thought of possibly being rejected can be a little scary. Then there’s also the way we can become preoccupied with building our careers and families, and even with seeking recreation. While there’s nothing wrong with these things, they have the potential to dominate our time, leaving us very little opportunity to share the gospel.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We really can enjoy evangelizing—and become effective at it in the process! Though we’re all guilty of shrinking back from sharing the gospel, Jesus wants to strengthen us as we come to him in prayer every day. When we focus on his love for us, his Spirit will give us the courage and excitement we need to share the message of salvation.
But prayer isn’t the only answer. We need to include evangelization in our daily schedule as well. We shouldn’t just wait for a “golden opportunity” to come our way. Through practice (and a dose of humility), we can learn how to create opportunities! Jesus set his disciples on an adventure when he sent them out. They had to step out of their comfort zones. And they did. And the results were spectacular. Just as they can be for each of us!
So today let God fill your heart with his love for the people around you. And go ahead and take a chance to share that love with someone. It could be the beginning of your own evangelistic adventure!
“Lord, open my eyes to the harvest. Fill me with love and courage to tell the world about you.”
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