DAILY- HOMILY

October 18, 2014

Saturday 28th Week in Ordinary Time

[Feast, St. Luke, Evangelist]

2 Tm 4: 10-17b / Ps 145: 10-11, 12-13, 17-18 / Lk 10: 1-9 

Reading: 2 Tm 4: 10-17b

You must know that Demas has deserted me for the love of this world: he returned to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke remains with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is a useful helper in my work. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring with you the cloak I left at Troas, in Carpos' house and also the scrolls, especially the parchments. Alexander the metalworker has caused me great harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. Distrust him for he has been very much opposed to our preaching. At my first hearing in court no one supported me; all deserted me. May the Lord not hold it against them. But the Lord was at my side, giving me strength to proclaim the Word fully, and let all the pagans hear it.        

Gospel: Luke 10: 1-9 

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place, where he himself was to go. And he said to them, "The harvest is rich, but the workers are few. So you must ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest. Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Set off without purse or bag or sandals; and do not stop at the homes of those you know. Whatever house you enter, first bless them saying: 'Peace to this house.' If a friend of peace lives there, the peace shall rest upon that person. But if not, the blessing will return to you. Stay in that house eating and drinking at their table, for the worker deserves to be paid. Do not move from house to house. When they welcome you in any town, eat what they offer you. Heal the sick who are there and say to them: 'The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.' 

Reflection:

     In today's gospel it is apparent that the Lord had a clear vision and mission for his disciples -- to step out in faith and make more disciples.  He gave them very specific instructions- to go empty handed, and to heal and preach to those who were receptive. Not much has changed since then. The harvest is still plenty, but the laborers few. We live in a very material age, with not enough people standing up for what is right, just and pleasing to the Lord. While the Lord may not be calling you to get rid of all your earthly possessions to become a missionary in Africa or the Middle East, we are called to disciple people within our families and communities. 

     There are people in our families and places of work who may be distant from God. How can you be an example of God's love to them? How can you be an instrument of love and healing? Pray to the Lord for wisdom and faith, to bring people you meet, closer to Him.

     Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

     Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

     where there is injury, pardon;

     where there is doubt, faith;

     where there is despair, hope;

     where there is darkness, light;

     and where there is sadness, joy.

      O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

     to be consoled as to console;

     to be understood as to understand;

     to be loved as to love.

     For it is in giving that we receive;

     it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;               

     and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

     Amen.

                                              - Saint Francis of Assisi

Prayer Requests:

We pray ...

... for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn

... for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary

... for families who are in need of healing

... for world peace and reconciliation

... for the birthday intentions of Henry Fresnoza

... for wisdom, perseverance and clarity of mind for those who prepare and take their exams:

     * Karen Tuala and Lisette Mandocdoc who will take the bar exams on the four (4) consecutive weekends of October

... we pray most especially for the intentions of Lawrence and Mandy, that they may be granted the grace of patience, communication, understanding, and forgiveness in overcoming their difficulties

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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