The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to reflect on our commitment to our mission as disciples of Christ as we navigate acceptance and rejection.
The reading from the Second Letter to Timothy describes Paul’s Loneliness.
* [4:9–13] Demas either abandoned the work of the ministry for worldly affairs or, perhaps, gave up the faith itself (2 Tm 4:10). Luke (2 Tm 4:11) may have accompanied Paul on parts of his second and third missionary journeys (Acts 16:10–12; 20:5–7). Notice the presence of the first personal pronoun “we” in these Acts passages, suggesting to some that Luke (or at least some traveling companion of Paul’s) was the author of Acts. Mark, once rejected by Paul (Acts 13:13; 15:39), is now to render him a great service (2 Tm 4:11); cf. Col 4:10; Phlm 24. For Tychicus, see Eph 6:21; cf. also Acts 20:4; Col 4:7. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 145 praises the Greatness and the Goodness of God
* [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (Ps 145:1–3, 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (Ps 145:4–7); they climax in a confession (Ps 145:8–9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (Ps 145:10–20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity. (Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke defines the Mission of the Seventy (-two).
* [10:1–12] Only the Gospel of Luke contains two episodes in which Jesus sends out his followers on a mission: the first (Lk 9:1–6) is based on the mission in Mk 6:6b–13 and recounts the sending out of the Twelve; here in Lk 10:1–12 a similar report based on Q becomes the sending out of seventy-two in this gospel. The episode continues the theme of Jesus preparing witnesses to himself and his ministry. These witnesses include not only the Twelve but also the seventy-two who may represent the Christian mission in Luke’s own day. Note that the instructions given to the Twelve and to the seventy-two are similar and that what is said to the seventy-two in Lk 10:4 is directed to the Twelve in Lk 22:35.
* [10:1] Seventy[-two]: important representatives of the Alexandrian and Caesarean text types read “seventy,” while other important Alexandrian texts and Western readings have “seventy-two.”
* [10:4] Carry no money bag…greet no one along the way: because of the urgency of the mission and the singlemindedness required of missionaries, attachment to material possessions should be avoided and even customary greetings should not distract from the fulfillment of the task.
* [10:5] First say, ‘Peace to this household’: see notes on Lk 2:14 and Mt 10:13.
* [10:6] A peaceful person: literally, “a son of peace.” (Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)
John Shea, S.J. comments that perhaps we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the loyalty and commitment of certain brothers and sisters in Christ. Or perhaps we’ve been let down by their word and example.
As we celebrate the Feast of St. Luke, we remember how he spread the Good News not just among the Jews, but to all Gentiles. The Church continues this evangelization, especially with this month’s Synod on Synodality. The synod is an opportunity for each of us to continue the work of Jesus’ 72 disciples, Paul, and Luke. We can support the synod with our prayers. We can also imitate the model of the synod, listening to one another and allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire us so we can continue to fulfill our mission to evangelize in the world. And we can pray for those who, like Demas and Alexander, work against the Holy Spirit. (Shea, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus the Good Shepherd changes wolves into sheep,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"How then does [Jesus] command the holy apostles, who are innocent men and 'sheep,' to seek the company of wolves, and go to them of their own will? Is not the danger apparent? Are they not set up as ready prey for their attacks? How can a sheep prevail over a wolf? How can one so peaceful conquer the savageness of beasts of prey? 'Yes,' he says, 'for they all have me as their Shepherd: small and great, people and princes, teachers and students. I will be with you, help you, and deliver you from all evil. I will tame the savage beasts. I will change wolves into sheep, and I will make the persecutors become the helpers of the persecuted. I will make those who wrong my ministers to be sharers in their pious designs. I make and unmake all things, and nothing can resist my will.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 61) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Timothy 4:10-17 comments that every Christian life is an adventure. That’s because following Jesus is never boring. Every day when we come to him in prayer, we never know what he has in store for us or where he is going to send us.
You may never travel widely or go on a missionary journey, as St. Luke did. But today, on his feast day, you can ask him to help you see your life in Christ as an adventure. Nothing can be more exciting than living for Jesus—even if you never leave home!
“Jesus, I’m ready for an adventure. Send me where you want me to go!” (Meditation on 2 Timothy 4:10-17, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the Pastoral Letters written in Paul’s name. Acts indicates in the “we” sections that Luke accompanied Paul for a short time. The Seventy Two in Luke’s Gospel is connected to the number of elders in the camp of Israel. Friar Jude notes the usual request of Pope Francis to prisoners he visits that they participate in the mission by praying for him.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis who recalls her mother’s deep devotion to justice.
My mom’s favorite Bible passage … was always Micah 6:8. She knew that doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God were the true instructions for living a faithful and impactful life. Her faith and activism were one.
Micah 6:6–8 is a typical story of the prophets. Biblical prophets tell the people what is necessary for honoring and worshipping God. Indeed, they all tell the same story: that God desires mercy, justice, and peace, especially for the poor, the widows, the suffering, and the victims of war. The prophets admonish us and the ruling authorities to work for peace and dedicate ourselves to ending poverty.
The book of Micah instructs that the only way to honor and worship God is to welcome the immigrant neighbor, the homeless, and the bruised and battered. Micah says we must overcome bias and inequality and advocate for all God’s children to have what they need to thrive, not merely and barely survive…. (Rohr, 2019)
We are led by the Spirit to the mission we have to present Life in Christ to the people we encounter on our journey.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?1
Meditation on 2 Timothy 4:10-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/10/18/807773/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?10
Rohr, R. (2019, March 9). Inheriting a Prophetic Call. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/inheriting-a-prophetic-call/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Kingdom of God Has Come near to You. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=oct18a
Shea, J. (2023, October 18). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101823.html
2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4?10
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