DAILY- HOMILY

October 18, 2019 – FRIDAY, 28TH Week in Ordinary Time
ST. LUKE, Evangelist
Feast. Red.

2 Tm 4: 10 – 17b / Lk 10: 1 – 9

A Greek physician from Antioch, St. Luke the Evangelist (d. c.84) is the author of the third Synoptic Gospel and of the Acts of the Apostles. He is the Patron of doctors, together with Sts. Cosmas and Damian (d. 303) and also of painters because he is said to have painted an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

FROM THE 1ST READING: 2 Tm 4: 10 – 12
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.

GOSPEL READING: Lk 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 the Gospel reading Jesus sends off his disciples to preach the Good News, "The kingdom of God has drawn near to you." Jesus also gives them the power to heal the sick and to expel demons. He tells them to live on the generosity of the people. The preaching of the Good News needs its messengers, "You must ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his harvest."

In the first reading we hear St. Paul speaking of his helpers and assistants in his preaching of the Gospel of Christ. Though the Church is of divine institution, guidance and protection, founded by Christ the Son of God, its work continues through the ages throughout the world through the work    and ministry of men and women, ordained men, men and women religious and a multitude of generous lay men and women in the parishes and many apostolic works of the Church.

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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