Fr. Roger J. Landry
Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, New Bedford, MA
Feast of St. Luke
October 18, 2013
2 Tim 4:10-17, Ps 145, Lk 10:1-9
To listen to an audio recording of today’s homily, please click:
The following points were attempted in his homily:
- “Your friend make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your kingdom.” St. Luke was a friend of the Lord, to whom, as Jesus said during the Last Supper, he revealed everything he had heard from his Father. And St. Luke has proven to be our friend, by working to do an “ordered account” so that we would receive that same revelation of Christ so that we could become the Lord’s friends. Friends speak about their friends. For us to be friends of Christ, we’re called to speak of him to others, but not just about him, but about the “glorious splendor” of his Kingdom. We need to share the joys of our faith, the beauty of following Jesus.
- Today’s Gospel helps us to remember how to proclaim that beauty. We’re supposed to proclaim the glorious splendor of the love of God that flows into our love for others, which is why Jesus sent them out two-by-two, so that they could love and forgive each other. We’re supposed to proclaim the glorious splendor of God’s providential care, by our not carrying money bags, sacks and sandals, but depending upon him who cares for us more than the birds of the air and lilies of the field. We should proclaim the glorious splendor of the mission he’s giving us, greeting no one along the way, staying focused on the path. We should proclaim the glorious splendor of Christian gratitude, not looking for a better deal, but remaining in the home where people have received us, even if it is poor. We should proclaim the glorious splendor of the peace of the Lord by our own receiving the Prince of Peace within, so that we can wish it to households. We’re called to announce the glorious splendor of working in the Lord’s vineyard, that our hard work and sacrifices are nothing in comparison with what we receive. We’re called to announce the glorious splendor of the Kingdom, by showing that the Kingdom of God is at hand by the way we joyfully dwell in God’s kingdom in our day to day life.
- The way to proclaim this glorious splendor is not just by our verbal communication, and not even just by our way of life, but also by our pen. St. Luke proclaimed the glorious splendor in his Gospel and in the Acts of the Apostles. So we likewise should ponder how we can use our letters, our emails, our photos, our videos, our audio recordings, our tweets and posts, to announce God’s beauty and goodness. These are all ways that we can be good and loving friends of God and help to bring others into the communion of friendship with God and with us.
The readings for today’s Mass were:
Reading 1
2 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.
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 Psalm
PS 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.
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.
Gospel
LK 10:1-9
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples
whom 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.’”
whom 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.’”