Daily Readings - Wed Oct 18 2017

First Reading - 2 Timothy 4.9-17a

⁹For Demas has abandoned me, out of love for this age, and he has departed for Thessalonica¹⁰Crescens has gone to Galatia; Titus to Dalmatia¹¹Luke alone is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you; for he is useful to me in the ministry¹²But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus¹³When you return, bring with you the supplies that I left with Carpus at Troas, and the books, but especially the parchments¹⁴Alexander the coppersmith has shown me much evil; the Lord will repay him according to his works¹⁵And you should also avoid him; for he has strongly resisted our words¹⁶At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them¹⁷But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching would be accomplished, and so that all the Gentiles would hear. And I was freed from the mouth of the lion

Gospel - Luke 10.1-9

Luke

Chapter 10

¹Then, after these things, the Lord also designated another seventy-two. And he sent them in pairs before his face, into every city and place where he was to arrive²And he said to them: "Certainly the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest³Go forth. Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves⁴Do not choose to carry a purse, nor provisions, nor shoes; and you shall greet no one along the way⁵Into whatever house you will have entered, first say, ‘Peace to this house.⁶And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you⁷And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things that are with them. For the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not choose to pass from house to house⁸And into whatever city you have entered and they have received you, eat what they set before you⁹And cure the sick who are in that place, and proclaim to them, ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on trust in God’s providence and the challenges of living out our faith in a world that often resists it. In the first reading from 2 Timothy, Paul writes from a place of isolation and hardship, abandoned by many who once stood with him. Yet, despite his difficulties, he remains steadfast in his mission, trusting that God will see him through. He encourages Timothy to remain faithful and to avoid those who oppose the Gospel. Paul’s words remind us that following Christ often means facing trials, but we are never truly alone—God is always with us, strengthening us to fulfill our calling. In the Gospel, Luke tells us of Jesus sending out 72 disciples to prepare the way for his ministry. He instructs them to travel lightly, without extra provisions, and to rely on the hospitality of others. This teaches us about detachment and trust in God’s providence. The disciples are sent as lambs among wolves, vulnerable yet empowered by their mission. They are to bring peace and healing to those they encounter, proclaiming that the kingdom of God is near. This passage challenges us to step out in faith, trusting that God will provide what we need to fulfill our mission. Both readings remind us that living as disciples of Christ requires courage, trust, and perseverance. Like Paul, we may face opposition or feel abandoned at times, but God’s grace is sufficient. Like the 72 disciples, we are called to go out into the world with humility and trust, sharing the peace and love of Christ with others. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust God enough to step out in faith, even when the road ahead seems uncertain? Are we willing to rely on His providence and to bring His peace to those around us? May we, like Paul and the disciples, remain faithful and steadfast in our mission, knowing that God is always with us.