Wednesday - October 18, 2017
Thus understanding and love, that is, the knowledge of and delight in the truth, are, as it were, the two arms of the soul, with which it embraces and comprehends with all the saints the length and breath, the height and depth, that is the eternity, the love, the goodness, and the wisdom of God.
–St. Bernard
TODAY'S READINGS
October 18, 2017
Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist
Lectionary: 661
Reading 12 TM 4:10-17B
Beloved:Demas, enamored of the present world,
deserted me and went to Thessalonica,
Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Luke is the only one with me.
Get Mark and bring him with you,
for he is helpful to me in the ministry.
I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas,
the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.
Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm;
the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
You too be on guard against him,
for he has strongly resisted our preaching.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
Responsorial PsalmPS 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18
R. (12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
AlleluiaSEE JN 15:16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 10:1-9
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two discipleswhom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Go on your way;
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter,
first say, 'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'"
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THE 4 STAGES OF APOSTLESHIP
In today's Gospel reading, Jesus sends his disciples forth as evangelizers. This is our mission; it's the mission of the Church. We're sent forth as evangelizers at the end of every Mass. The priest, speaking for Jesus, empowers us with words such as: "Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord" or "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life." Or, as in Luke 10:3, "Go on your way! Behold, I am sending you!"
Jesus commissions us and commands us to go and make a difference in the world, in whatever capacity we can, in our homes, workplaces, recreation, etc.
"Go!" is the main action verb in Christianity. "I am sending you" is the main agenda in Christianity. The original Greek word for being "sent forth" evolved into the word "apostle" -- an apostle is a disciple sent by the teacher to do the work that the teacher assigns.
All Christians are supposed to mature into apostles. We all have apostolates! Our apostolates are assignments from Jesus to use whatever gifts we have, with whatever we've learned, wherever we find ourselves.
There are four stages of apostleship. First is PREPARATION, when we are discipled and disciplined by Jesus. We learn from hardships. We discover what impassions us. We mature in the recognition of and use of our gifts and talents.
Next is INVOLVEMENT, when we become active in ministry. Even before our preparations are finished, we start using our gifts and passions and newly gained wisdom in the service of God. And, by the way, if you are finding no outlet for the service you can give to God, contact me at Good News Ministries. We often are able to open doors that satisfy the desire to make a difference for the kingdom of Christ.
Next, if we truly desire to be effective apostles, we enter into TESTING. We experience trials that challenge us where we're called to serve, like gold purified in fire. For some, it's the "dark night of the soul" and it might continue for years.
For example, we find ourselves in difficult relationships that challenge us to love and forgive more sacrificially. Our ministries might be interrupted by obstacles that challenge our trust in God and stretch our ability to discern where he's leading us. If we don't run away from these challenges or quit for the sake of an easier life, we're ready for Stage 4: SIGNIFICANT INVOLVEMENT, when we're useful enough to reach our full potential and make a huge difference.
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God Bless You.....
The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”
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