The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/101817.cfm)
reminds how important it is to have a companion in faith.
No man is an island. We are not made to be alone, that is why God created both
man and woman. Probably, people who have experienced deep hurt in the past have
the tendency to shy away from people – not wanting to get hurt again, unable to
trust and love again. However, deep inside each and everyone of us has a
longing and desire for companionship in our journey.
In the first reading, we see
Saint Paul writing Timothy saying that he has Luke with him, and asks for Mark
too. In the gospel, we see Jesus sending the disciples by pairs. We see how
important and helpful it is to have someone to accompany you as you serve God
and do his work. it is important and helpful to have someone to “run the race”
with – to be with you, check up on you, encourage and support you, and pray for
and with you in your journey of life, of the faith.
It is easier to travel when you
have someone to be with you. It is easier to serve God when you have someone
serving God with you. Challenges can wear us down, but having someone there to
support and encourage us makes it easier to face the challenges in life. As
they say, challenges are easier when shared, and success is sweeter when shared
as well.
Do I value my relationships –
with my family, friends, co-workers and significant other? Do I open up myself
and allow others to enter my life? Do I have someone to run my race with – in
life and in my serving God? Do I pray for God’s companion for me?
May we look for and be a
companion in faith.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to liv. Thank you for thinking of me. Thank
you for reminding me how important and helpful it is to have someone with me in
this journey of life. Lord, I pray that you help me open up myself to others.
May I give importance to relationships, knowing that you are alive in each and
every person that I meet. Lord, I ask that you also help me find the
companion/s you have for me – people who would help, guide, support, encourage
and pray for me as I live my life in serving you. I also ask that you use me to
be a companion in faith to others. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
October 18, 2017
Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist
Lectionary: 661
Reading 12 TM 4:10-17B
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
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
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 10:1-9
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.'"
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