FEAST OF ST. LUKE, EVANGELIST
First Reading - 2 Timothy 4:10-17
Gospel - Luke 10:1-9
The first reading speaks about the experience of Paul towards the end of his mission. This pericope is tainted with strong feelings of Paul. Paul recounts that his companions have deserted him but Luke has remained with him as a faithful friend. Paul also asserts that his trials and difficulties, after his companions left him, have not overcome him but he has been supported all through by God. He experiences a constant support of God even in the midst of such betrayal. This experience of God's support is all the more reinforced by the company of Luke even after all left him.
The gospel presents the account of the missionary journey undertaken by 72. The sending of 72 for a mission by Jesus has three important emphasis: firstly, it denotes the urgency of message - as Jesus instructs his disciples to carry no purse, no luggage, no passing conversation; secondly, the message has receptive and opposing responses - as Jesus warns his disciples that they are being sent as lambs among wolfs; thirdly, the message of the Kingdom of God is of peace and healing - as Jesus instructs his disciples to pronounce peace on the house and cure the sick.
The striking part of the instruction of Jesus to his disciples is of the impending hostility against the message of the Kingdom. Jesus warns his disciples that the response to the message of the good news will have two opposing responses, for and against. However, the reaction of the disciples is to be of peace and wellbeing for all.
Dear friends, it's true that our mission faces mixed reactions of people, some stand for us and others against us. The readings remind us that we should not be perturbed by such responses of people but still continue to spread the fragrance of peace and wellbeing for all. It's by spreading of message of peace and wellbeing, even in the midst of hostility, will certainly further the message of the Kingdom.
The first reading reminds us that there will be instances when our own people and even our own best friends will betray us but God will never betray us rather always stand in support of us for the good cause as the constant support of God was experienced by Paul after his companions deserted him.
The feast of today also reminds us that we are to become faithful friends to those who are forlorn and abandoned as Luke proved to be a good friend to Paul who was betrayed and deserted by his companions. There are many who are poor and marginalized, no one to come to their rescue, our small gesture of concern for them will prove us our friendship to them. It's in this kind of friendship, the words of Jesus will become alive - when I was hungry, naked, abandoned, you cared for me.
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