The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to embrace our pilgrimage as witnesses to the love and mercy of God for all people.
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.
* [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, n.d.)
Psalm 145 proclaims that God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship.
* [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 describes 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, n.d.)
Michele Bogard reflects that on a Jesuit service-learning immersion semester abroad program in the Dominican Republic, part of the curriculum was living with a host family for 10 days.
Families that had little to offer would sacrifice their family chicken so that the student would have a good meal. Students who were stuffed by the many courses offered didn’t dare turn down another helping since they didn’t want to offend their hospitality. By the end of the week, gratitude was expressed through hugs and tears as promises to come back in broken Spanish were made (and many times later kept). Students would often reflect on the enormity of the gift of hospitality they felt living in community.
I share these stories as I reflect on the disciples in the Gospel. They were sent as pairs to sit in family homes and graciously eat what was put in front of them. Their goal was to share the Good News. The Son of God was among them. The Novices? They were to find Christ within their pilgrimage. And our students? They were to find Christ among us as and within us as well.
Where in your life have you found yourself an unexpected evangelist? Where have you been, Christ’s love for another, so that you turn and say, “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you”? And perhaps when were you the one who was the recipient of God’s love as it was shared with you?
St. Luke, we pray for humility so that you
inspire us to see Christ in one another.
Make us all pilgrims on a journey,
carrying with us only your love and your grace.
Amen. (Bogard, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes “The Holy Spirit will inspire martyrs and teach believers,” by Cyril of Jerusalem, 430-543 A.D.
"You must also know that the Holy Spirit empowers the martyrs to bear witness... A person cannot testify as a martyr for Christ's sake except through the Holy Spirit. If 'no man can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit' (1 Corinthians 12:3), will any man give his life for Jesus' sake except through the Holy Spirit?" (excerpt from CATECHETICAL LECTURES 16.21) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 10:1-9 comments that perhaps we look around our parish and see people who seem more talented, more involved, or closer to the Lord than we are. Or perhaps as a new convert and you feel less qualified than the “cradle Catholics” who have more experience. If that’s you, take Luke as your hero!
Rather than focusing on your weaknesses or shortcomings, think about what God has given you: your unique gifts, your passions, even your cultural background. If God has put some spiritual “labor” on your heart or if you feel drawn to a particular action or ministry, trust the Spirit and take the first step. It might just be what someone else needs to lead them closer to the Lord.
“Lord, thank you for calling even me to help build your kingdom!” (Meditation on Luke 10:1-9, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today and the relationship between Luke, Acts, and the Gospel.
Fr. Mike Schmitz breaks down the dramatic events from our reading of 1 Maccabees today, including; Jonathan's new role as high priest, Demetrius' defeat in battle, and King Alexander Epiphanes formidable alliance with Egypt formed by marrying Cleopatra. In Sirach, Fr. Mike reminds us that the good qualities wives are called to possess are also applicable to husbands. Today we read 1 Maccabees 10, Sirach 26-27, and Proverbs 23:5-8.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Poet and CAC staff member Drew Jackson who offers this poem, praying to find the courage of the prophets.
I wake in the morning and sink down into the quiet Center.
Before the news and the heartbreak.
Before the world becomes all fire and brimstone.
Tell me, is this salvation?
I could stay here, alone and away.
I could place my life in the company of the undisturbed.
But if I do, I will surely lose You.
Friend of Sorrows. Acquaintance of Grief.
Let this silence, then, become a bridge.
Let me walk it to where Love is.
At the edges. Amidst the rubble.
Trudging among the bones
Where the prophets call to the four winds
And a Voice cries out saying Live! Live!
Let this silence become a forgotten thing
If it does not lead me to the hill
Outside the camp.[1] (Rohr, n.d.)
We trust in Providence and the guidance of the Spirit to motivate our pilgrimage as disciples of Christ in loving service of all people we encounter on our journey.
References
Bogard, M. (2025, October 18). Daily Reflection October 18, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-18-2025
Luke, CHAPTER 10. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?1
Meditation on Luke 10:1-9. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/18/1409490/
Psalms, PSALM 145 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/145?10
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-prophetic-work-of-jesus-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Holy Spirit Will Teach You What to Say. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
2 Timothy, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 18, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/4?10
