First reading 2 Timothy 4:10-17
Only Luke is with me
Demas has deserted me for love of this life and gone to Thessalonika, Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. Get Mark to come and bring him with you; I find him a useful helper in my work. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and the scrolls, especially the parchment ones. Alexander the coppersmith has done me a lot of harm; the Lord will repay him for what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he has been bitterly contesting everything that we say.
The first time I had to present my defence, there was not a single witness to support me. Every one of them deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and gave me power, so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear.
Responsorial Psalm 144(145):10-13a,17-18
Your friends, O Lord, make known the glorious splendour of your reign.
All your creatures shall thank you, O Lord,
and your friends shall repeat their blessing.
They shall speak of the glory of your reign
and declare your might, O God.
They make known to men your mighty deeds
and the glorious splendour of your reign.
Yours is an everlasting kingdom;
your rule lasts from age to age.
The Lord is just in all his ways
and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him,
who call on him from their hearts.
Gospel Luke 10:1-9
Your peace will rest on that man
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road. Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house. Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.”’
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Never alone
“Everyone of them deserted me… But the Lord stood by me and gave me power so that through me the whole message might be proclaimed for all the pagans to hear.” These words are taken from the 1st reading from St Paul’s letter to Timothy. Here, we can see Paul at the lowest point of his life when he was abandoned by his friends while in a Roman prison. Yet, He found solace in God’s presence, who stood by Him and gave him strength. Paul’s experience is similar to that of Jesus. As Jesus faced His impending death, He knew that His disciples would leave Him, but He said in John 16:32, “Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me”. This truth holds for us today as well: God is always by our side, walking with us through the joys and sorrows of life.
In the gospel, Jesus sent His disciples to proclaim the message that “the Kingdom of God is very near you.” The Kingdom of God represents the presence of our loving God, who is with us. We are called to share this message with others so that they, too, can find comfort and strength during their difficult moments.
Reflective question:
How can I actively “proclaim the Kingdom of God is very near you” through my words and actions today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
