We who are disciples of the Lord are sent on mission to proclaim the good news to all who will listen, to bind up wounds, to heal, to bring His peace, mercy, love, joy, and deliverance, so that all of us can one day be reunited in heaven.
Saint Anthony was one such disciple. He was a missionary through and through, and he touched many lives by his proclamation of the gospel.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gift of St Anthony, and I ask for your grace so that I can emulate him, to proclaim the gospel with such eloquence, touch the lives of many, and minister to them as he did. Amen
Saint Antony of Padua, Priest, Doctor
Pray for us….
________
First reading
Isaiah 61:1-3
He has sent me to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me,
for the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to bring good news to the poor,
to bind up hearts that are broken;
to proclaim liberty to captives,
freedom to those in prison;
to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord,
a day of vengeance for our God,
to comfort all those who mourn and to give them
for ashes a garland;
for mourning robe the oil of gladness,
for despondency, praise.
________
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.”’
CatholicJules.net 