The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist, highlight our role as disciples of Jesus to use our time, treasure, and talent to support the acceptance of the Good News in our environment.
The reading from the Second Letter to Timothy shares personal instructions and Paul’s Loneliness.
* [4:1–5] The gravity of the obligation incumbent on Timothy to preach the word can be gauged from the solemn adjuration: in the presence of God, and of Christ coming as universal judge, and by his appearance and his kingly power (2 Tm 4:1). Patience, courage, constancy, and endurance are required despite the opposition, hostility, indifference, and defection of many to whom the truth has been preached (2 Tm 4:2–5).
* [4:3] Insatiable curiosity: literally, “with itching ears.”
* [4:6] The apostle recognizes his death through martyrdom to be imminent. He regards it as an act of worship in which his blood will be poured out in sacrifice; cf. Ex 29:38–40; Phil 2:17.
* [4:7] At the close of his life Paul could testify to the accomplishment of what Christ himself foretold concerning him at the time of his conversion, “I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16).
* [4:8] When the world is judged at the parousia, all who have eagerly looked for the Lord’s appearing and have sought to live according to his teachings will be rewarded. The crown is a reference to the laurel wreath placed on the heads of victorious athletes and conquerors in war; cf. 2 Tm 2:5; 1 Cor 9:25.
* [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.
* [4:10] Galatia: some manuscripts read “Gaul” or “Gallia.”
* [4:14–18] Alexander: an opponent of Paul’s preaching (2 Tm 4:14–15), perhaps the one who is mentioned in 1 Tm 1:20. Despite Paul’s abandonment by his friends in the province of Asia (cf. 2 Tm 1:15–16), the divine assistance brought this first trial to a successful issue, even to the point of making the gospel message known to those who participated in or witnessed the trial (2 Tm 4:16–17). (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 provides instructions for the Mission of the Seventy.
* [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.)
George Butterfield comments that the Gospel reading emphasizes the urgency of what Jesus calls “the harvest.”
He sends out disciples who will go before him, curing the sick and proclaiming the kingdom of God. While they go, they need to ask God to send them more laborers. They are not to load themselves down with extra stuff and they don’t have time to dilly dally on the way by greeting everyone who passes by. They are to stay in the first house that offers them hospitality and not move across the street because that home has better food and drink. They are to be modest and not make special food demands. Food, housing, and hospitality will be the payment for their labor in the vineyard. (Butterfield, n.d.)
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 Luke 10:1-9 comments that before sending them out, Jesus told his disciples to pray for more laborers for the harvest (Luke 10:2). St. Luke himself heard this call and devoted his life to spreading the good news. He traveled with St. Paul on his missionary journeys, where he encountered numerous dangers and difficulties. When he returned from his travels, he continued to share the good news by compiling both his Gospel and the Book of Acts. How many people throughout the centuries have been touched by his inspired words!
What is your story? What has Jesus done for you, and what have you seen him do for others? You don’t have to share it with a whole town; just start with one person. You don’t need extensive training, either. All you need are your gratitude and humility as you recall your experience.
Today, imagine one of the characters in Luke’s Gospel walking into a Galilean village, standing in front of the synagogue, and sharing how Jesus had changed their life. Let their example give you the courage to follow in their footsteps. Know that St. Luke and these seventy-two believers are rooting for you to step out in faith and tell your own “Jesus story”!
“St. Luke, pray for me as I share my story of how Jesus has touched my life.” (Meditation on Luke 10:1-9, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes the unusual terminology for Paul in a letter to Timothy in which Luke is mentioned as a companion to Paul in prison. The seventy two disciples are linked to the number of elders chosen to assist Moses. Friar Jude reminds us of the need to trust Providence and accept hospitality as we work toward living the Law and Love of God to its fullest extent.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, understands the cosmos as the first Incarnation of God.
For most of us, this is a significant shaking of our foundational image of the universe and of our religion. Yet if any group should have come to this quite simply and naturally, it should have been the three groups of believers that call themselves monotheists: Jews, Christians, and Muslims all believe that the world was created by one God. It would seem to follow therefore that everything, everything without exception, would bear the clear imprint and likeness of the one Creator.
Our very suffering now, our condensed presence on this common nest that we have fouled, will soon be the ONE thing that we finally share in common. It might well be the one thing that will bring us together. The earth and its life systems on which we all entirely depend (just as we depend on God!) might soon become the very thing that will convert us to a simple gospel lifestyle, to necessary community, and to an inherent and universal sense of the holy. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the work to be done today and seek the inspiration of the Spirit that is in the breath of Creation to call workers to the continuing harvest of full life promised by Christ.
References
Butterfield, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. OnlineMinistries. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/101824.html
Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?1
Meditation on Luke 10:1-9. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/10/18/1107159/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?10
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Revealed in and through Creation. Richard Rohr. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/revealed-in-and-through-creation/
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, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=oct18a
2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4?10
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