In our mission to share the joy of the Gospel, we will undoubtedly face opposition. Even when we find ourselves alone, with no one to support us, St. Paul encourages us in today’s first reading to persevere. Our Lord will stand by us and empower us so that our proclamation can reach the ends of the earth.
We must go forth in faith, trusting that the Lord our God will provide for all our needs. He has empowered us to bring His peace to everyone we meet. Therefore, we offer the Lord’s peace, which we carry with us. Freely we had received from our Lord, so too shall we give freely. Though we will accept gratefully the hospitality offered to us.
In our Lord’s empowerment, we are called to heal the sick and proclaim that the Lord’s kingdom is near. Let us go forth with joy in our hearts doing so, for the Lord’s will be done, now and forever. Amen.
Saint Luke, Evangelist – pray for us…
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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.
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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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