Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 18, 2018
First Reading: 2 Timothy 4.9-17a
9Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:10For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.12And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.13The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Psalm 145
1I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.2Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.5I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.6And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.7They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.8The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.9The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.10All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.11They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;12To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.13Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.14The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.15The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.16Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.18The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.19He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.20The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.21My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Gospel: Luke 10.1-9
1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on mission, perseverance, and trust in God’s providence. The first reading from 2 Timothy finds Paul near the end of his life, feeling isolated and abandoned by many who once stood with him. Despite the challenges, Paul remains steadfast in his faith, trusting in the Lord’s strength. He asks Timothy to join him, emphasizing the importance of companionship and support in times of trial. The Gospel from Luke, on the other hand, presents Jesus sending out 72 disciples in pairs, preparing them for the challenges of spreading the Good News. He instructs them to go forth with simplicity, trusting in God’s provision and the hospitality of others. Both readings remind us that following Christ is not without its difficulties, but it is through these trials that we grow in faith and trust.
The readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on mission and perseverance. Paul, the seasoned missionary, faces the end of his journey with courage, while the disciples in Luke are just beginning theirs. Both scenarios highlight the importance of relying on God’s grace and the support of others. Paul’s loneliness and the disciples’ vulnerability before the “wolves” remind us that the path of discipleship is not an easy one. Yet, in both cases, we see the power of trust in God. Paul finds strength in the Lord, and the disciples are assured that the harvest is plentiful, even if the workers are few. These stories encourage us to step out in faith, even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded that each of us is called to be a missionary in our own way. Whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, we are invited to share the love and hope of Christ. Like the disciples, we may feel unprepared or inadequate, but Jesus assures us that He will provide what we need. When we face challenges or feel abandoned, we can turn to God, who stands with us and strengthens us. Let us embrace the call to live simply, trust deeply, and proclaim the kingdom of God in all that we do. May we, like Paul and the disciples, remain faithful and hopeful, knowing that the Lord is always with us.