FIRST READING
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:10-17ab)
Luke alone is with me.
Beloved: Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you; for he is very useful in serving me. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will pay him back for his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defence no one took my part; all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength to proclaim the word fully, that all the Gentiles might hear it.
The word of the Lord
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 17-18 (R. see 12a)
R/. Your saints, O Lord,
make known the glory of your reign.
All your works shall thank you, O Lord,
And all your faithful ones bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign,
And declare your mighty deeds. R/.
To make known your might to the children of men,
And the glorious splendour of your reign.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;
Your rule endures for all generations. R/.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
And holy in all his deeds.
The Lord is close to all who call him,
Who call on him in truth. R/.
ALLELUIA John 15:16
Alleluia. I chose you from the world that you should go and bear fruit and that fruit should abide, says the Lord. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:1-9)
The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few
At that time: The Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Luke is a worthy companion of St Paul, the Apostle. Even when others desert him, Luke stays with Paul as a companion in his mission. Through this, Luke is able to learn more about the scripture and later writes his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. In the Gospel, Jesus appoints the seventy two and sends them out two by two. A companion is necessary in preaching the word. Company helps because it gives confidence that one is not alone. It brings about some sharing before going to preach and it makes for better evangelization. Preachers of the word should learn how to live in company as it helps in evangelization. Communion with one another make us share in communion with God