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.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18
R. (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: 2 Timothy 4:10-17
Luke is the only one with me. (2 Timothy 4:11)
Today, imagine yourself at an elegant banquet—it’s a celebration for St. Luke. The table is set with polished silverware, a floral centerpiece, and a lavish feast. Many distinguished guests are seated—Peter, John, Mary, and Martha. One glass chimes, and then another. Before you know it, everyone is calling for a speech. Then Luke, a distinguished-looking gentleman, rises and begins to speak.
“Brothers and sisters, I’m honored to be with you. I’d like to tell you why I’m here. You see, I was a physician. I gave my life to treating illness and easing suffering. I liked what I did, and I was good at it.
“But then I learned about Jesus. These apostles gathered here today spoke his words of love and mercy. I saw them heal hopeless medical cases in his name. I saw them change people’s lives with his message of forgiveness. And their message and their witness touched me deeply. In the end, I decided to be baptized and follow Jesus as well.
“When I decided to write my own account of Jesus’ life, I couldn’t help but talk about how merciful he was. I had to include all those wonderful conversion stories: Zacchaeus, Peter, and the thief on the cross. I couldn’t leave out all those healings: the man with the withered hand, the widow from Nain, and so many others. And then there were all those parables like the lost coin, lost sheep, and the prodigal son!
“Jesus has always been faithful to me, and that’s what helped me stay faithful to Paul when everyone else had left. I wanted to be a friend to the end, just like Jesus. All I want is to share the mercy that God has shown me—the kindness that has changed my life. Thank you all. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
How about you? Have you come to know the mercy of the Lord? This isn’t just Luke’s slant on Christianity; it’s gospel truth. Jesus is the most faithful friend you could ever have. If you are hurting today, ask him to show you that his grace is deeper than the ocean. Believe that no matter what, he will never leave you. As Luke learned, when we have Jesus, we have all that we need.
“Lord Jesus, I love you with all my heart.”
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