You may be surprised to learn that when you simply say “Peace be with you” to a fellow Catholic you may get varied responses even at times negative ones. Yes while the norm would be to give the same greeting back, some are not sure how to respond. Others even question your intention, or who are you to offer peace and why you think they need it. Do you then stop offering the Lord’s peace to them? Should you stop sharing the Gospel message of His love when met with resistance? Do you feel alone in the endeavour?
We are never alone nor do we have anything to fear. For we have been given a powerful ally, the Holy Spirit to accompany us on our journey. He will send companions our way when needed. All we need to do, is to be faithful and obedient to the Lord our God who loves us dearly. Who desires that all be with Him in His kingdom. Hence we are sent to share in the message of His love through His Son our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
First reading
2 Timothy 4:10-17
Only Luke is with me
Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones. Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him for what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say.
The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear; and so I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
Gospel
Luke 10:1-9
Your peace will rest on that man
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’
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