Friday, October 18, 2002

Luke, Evangelist
1st Reading: 2 Tim 4:10-17

Gospel: Lk 10:1-9

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.'"

Commentary

Like the disciples in Jesus' time, we are also sent to spread the good news to people. In today's Gospel, the particular good news to be shared is peace. To convey this message effectively we need to engage in a dialog of life with the people to whom we are sent, "eating and drinking at their table." In our sharing life with them, we become instruments of the caring and healing love of God. And our witnessing will be a strong message that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

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