Lectionary: 661
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.’”
REFLECTION
SOURCE: One Bread One Body
THEME: CATHOLIC WORKERS
"The harvest is rich but the workers are few; therefore ask the Harvest-Master to send workers to His harvest." –Luke 10:2
Jesus needs many more workers to reach the more than four-billion people who don't know Him. He also needs many more workers to help the nearly two-billion Christians grow in holiness. Therefore, "take courage" and work for Jesus (see Hg 2:4). Work, even if you think you have worked "in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent" your strength (Is 49:4). Work, even if you consider yourself inadequate and without much to offer compared to other parts of Christ's body (see 1 Cor 12:15-16). Work, even if you or others think you're not needed (1 Cor 12:20-22). Work, even if you are very late for work. The Lord in His mercy may give you a full-life's pay for very little time on the job (Mt 20:9). Work, even if you have to suffer, as Jesus the Worker suffered.
St. Luke gave up a good job as a doctor (see Col 4:14) to work for Jesus. The benefits of working for Jesus didn't seem that good. You couldn't have even a walking staff, a traveling bag, or sandals (Lk 10:4). However, Luke did one of the greatest, most fruitful works in history. He wrote the Gospel of Luke and theActs of the Apostles. Be like Luke. Work "for food that remains unto life eternal" (Jn 6:27).
PRAYER: Father, may Your love impel me to work for You with zeal (see 2 Cor 5:14).
PROMISE: "The Lord stood by my side and gave me strength, so that through me the preaching task might be completed and all the nations might hear the gospel." –2 Tm 4:17
PRAISE: St. Luke "carefully traced the whole sequence of events from the beginning" and "decided to set it in writing for you" so that you "may see how reliable" the message of Jesus is (Lk 1:3-4). Praise You, Lord, for inspiring Luke to preserve Your good news for our sake.
Be an inspiration, kindly Share.
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