Daily Readings - Wed Oct 18 2023
2 Timothy
9For Demas has abandoned me, out of love for this age, and he has departed for Thessalonica10Crescens has gone to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia11Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for he is useful to me in the ministry12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus13When you return, bring with you the supplies that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, but especially the parchments14Alexander the coppersmith has shown me much evil; the Lord will repay him according to his works15And you should also avoid him; for he has strongly resisted our words16At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching would be accomplished, and so that all the Gentiles would hear. And I was freed from the mouth of the lion
Luke
1Then, after these things, the Lord also designated another seventy-two. And he sent them in pairs before his face, into every city and place where he was to arrive2And he said to them: "Certainly the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest3Go forth. Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves4Do not choose to carry a purse, nor provisions, nor shoes; and you shall greet no one along the way5Into whatever house you will have entered, first say, ‘Peace to this house.6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things that are with them. For the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not choose to pass from house to house8And into whatever city you have entered and they have received you, eat what they set before you9And cure the sick who are in that place, and proclaim to them, ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on trust, perseverance, and the call to mission. The first reading from 2 Timothy paints a vivid picture of Paul’s isolation and struggle as he faces the end of his earthly journey. Despite being abandoned by some companions, Paul remains steadfast in his faith, trusting that God will see him through. He asks for support and encouragement, not out of weakness, but out of a deep reliance on the community of believers. The Gospel from Luke, on the other hand, shifts our focus to the mission of the disciples. Jesus sends out 72 followers into a world that is often hostile and uncertain, urging them to trust in God’s providence rather than their own resources. He reminds them that the harvest is abundant, but the workers are few, calling them to radical dependence on God as they proclaim the kingdom.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own relationship with God and our role in the world. Paul’s letter reminds us that even in times of loneliness or hardship, we are never truly alone. God stands with us, strengthening us to fulfill our calling. Similarly, the Gospel challenges us to embrace a life of trust and surrender. Like the disciples sent out by Jesus, we are called to step into the unknown, relying not on our own strength or preparations but on the grace of God. This is not a call to passivity but to boldness, trusting that God will provide what we need to accomplish the work He has entrusted to us.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, let us ask ourselves: Where am I being called to trust God more deeply? Am I holding back from sharing my faith or serving others because I feel unprepared or inadequate? Let us remember that the Lord of the harvest is always with us, even in the midst of challenges. Like Paul, let us persevere in prayer and in service, knowing that our efforts, though small, contribute to the greater work of God’s kingdom. And like the disciples, let us go forth with courage, carrying the peace and love of Christ into a world that so desperately needs it.