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| Saint Luke, Evangelist |
(Audio)
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.
Are we enamored of this present world? If we are it can prevent us from doing our part for the gospel. Too much love for the world can cause us even to strongly resist the gospel, but if not, it can still draw us to become deserters. May Saint Luke pray for us that we can stand up for the gospel and those proclaiming it when we are challenged. May he pray that the goal that motivated Saint Paul would spark a fire in us as well.
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.
When following Jesus seems to hard, when it seems like we too many people are abandoning us and when we're giving up too much, he is able to strengthen us. The only way to go safely as lambs among wolves is sent be Jesus, with a strength of heart that can come from him alone. With his peace in us and ready to offer others we can forget about the lack of money bag, sack and sandals. We can persist in spite of deserters. We can move without fear among wolves.
Into whatever house you enter,
first say, 'Peace to this household.'
If a peaceful person lives there,
The very peace that we experience even in times of trial is precisely what we are called to offer others. We are called to go forth and bring the healing that can only come from the gospel.
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.'"
Jesus calls us friends. And we read, "Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom." Saint Luke, Saint Paul, pray that Jesus would give us hearts for the gospel and fill us with peace and healing to share with the world.
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