GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 18TH OCTOBER 2016
FEAST OF SAINT LUKE, EVANGELIST
1ST READING: 2 Timothy 4:10-17
PSALM: Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18
GOSPEL: Luke 10:1-9
THEME: THE MISSION
Soldiers who have ever gone to the battle field and have had brushes with death would attest that it is very risky going out there to defend one’s nation. Some of these soldiers who survive the battle come back with scars on their bodies and minds. The work of a soldier is not easy and yet without them, enemies would overrun and destroy us.
In the same way, everyone who is actively involved in the proclamation of the Gospel is a soldier of the Kingdom of God. These men and women of God go through rough times on the spiritual battle field. There are moments of loneliness, rejections, frustrations, depressions etc. There are times when some even give up and back out in a painful manner.
In the First Reading, Paul writes that he had been deserted on the mission field. He mentions the name of one Demas who had deserted him. He also makes reference to Alexander the coppersmith who had done a great deal of harm to him. At his first defence, he writes that no one appeared on his behalf, everyone deserted him. However, at the time he was writing the letter, he notes, “Luke is the only one with me” (2Tim. 4:11). The Lord always sends a “Luke” to us when others abandon us.
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to embark on the mission of proclaiming the message of the Kingdom of God to various towns and places and to bring healing to those who are sick. Jesus makes known to these seventy-two the vastness of the mission field, saying, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few…” (Luke 10:2). He then goes ahead to describe how tough and perilous the mission would be: “See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3). He hints that they would experience rejection in certain places (cf. Luke 10:10).
A mission of such character needs total dependence on God and not on oneself. Hence Jesus tells those he was sending out, “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road” (Luke 10:4). In other words, rely on God and not on human resources.
Perhaps, let us consider spending some time today to pray for all those out there on the spiritual battle field proclaiming the message of the Kingdom of God. These are soldiers of Christ risking their lives for the cause of the Gospel and of the Kingdom. Let us pray in a particular way for those who after many years of service are getting frustrated and worn out that the Lord may renew their strength as they wait on him.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you command us to go and make disciples of all nations. We pray today for all those who are persecuted on account of the proclamation of the Gospel. Strengthen them to stand firm. For the sake of your name, we pray.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).