2 Timothy 4:10-17B, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, Luke 10:1-9

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. Jn 15:16

Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist

2 Timothy 4:10-17B, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, 
Luke 10:1-9


2 Timothy 4:10-17B

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

Paul is speaking of several people here, some of them have helped him others have done him harm. Demas has been with him and has helped him in his ministry but the siren call of the world proved too much for him. This can happen if we are not vigilant. Luke, the evangelist, whose feast day the Church keeps today is also one of his companions. 

Luke is a doctor who is also a believer and has been inspired by the Holy Spirit to write all that he has come to know and believe. 

This is a personal letter to Timothy in which Paul gives him several instructions. He writes candidly about having being harmed by Alexander and warns Timothy to be on guard with him. It is obvious that Paul needs to vent to a trusted friend and companion about people who could have stood up for him in his trials but didn't. These are very human feelings and we can relate to them. However, frustrated and disappointed as Paul is, he holds no grudges but leaves everyone to Your judgment and mercy. And finally, he recognizes that although men have failed him, You never did. You gave him the strength he needed to carry on his work of evangelizing to the Gentiles. There is much we can learn from him when it comes to dealing with fellow workers who labor with us in Your vineyard.

Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18

My Love, Beloved of my soul,

St. Luke was privileged to come to know You and all about You through the Apostles and Your Mother Mary. It made such an impact on him and his life that not only did he come to believe, but he wrote a faithful account of all that You said and did. Through his writing of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, many have also come to know You and to believe in You.

We give glory to God and thanks to You, our Lord Jesus Christ for establishing the Kingdom of God on earth. We thank You for the evangelist, and especially Luke, who inspired by the Holy Spirit has written a faithful account of the Good News so that we who read it may come to believe in You and be saved.
Luke 10:1-9


My Love, Beloved of my soul,

From the Gospel of Luke, we have an account of the mission on which You sent the seventy-two disciples. We know of the instructions they were given. The disciples were sent in pairs as a vanguard to prepare the way for You who would visit these towns later. 

You made them aware that there was a harvest ready reaping but could be lost because of a lack of laborers to bring it in. You made them aware of the dangers they could face because the enemy like a pack of wolves is always on the prowl to devour. 

They were to carry nothing with them - no money, no extra tunic, or sandals. All they needed was to trust in Divine Providence who would supply all their needs. They were to go in peace and bestow a blessing of peace on all who welcomed them into their homes. They were to make no demands but eat and drink whatever was offered to them. The blessing of peace would be withdrawn from those who rejected them. And finally, they were to announce the coming of the Kingdom of God through the miracles they performed so the people of those towns might know and believe that God had indeed visited His people.