On this special feast day of St. Luke, the evangelist, we are called to reflect deeply on our mission as Christians. Luke, a physician by occupation, became disciple of Jesus by vocation, and followed Paul from whom he learnt most of what he wrote. He is known as evangelist of joy because of how he presented the Good News of salvation. His attention to detail and dedication to conveying the message of Christ serve as an inspiration for all of us.
Our Calling to a Greater
Mission:
Just as the seventy-two
were sent out by Jesus, so too are we, by the grace of our baptism, called to
evangelize—to bring the Good News to the ends of the earth. Our mission may not
require us to travel to distant lands, but it certainly invites us to share the
Gospel with our family, friends, co-workers, and the world around us.
“He sent them ahead of
him in pairs”. But why did Jesus send his disciples in pairs?
I think that there are at least two reasons: to form a community of disciples
who pray and work together because “where two or three are gathered in his
name, he is in their midst”. The second
reason is that within their mission context, testimonies were only validated if
corroborated by two or more witnesses.
The Risks and Rewards of
Missionary Work:
Jesus says to the 72 disciples:
“Behold I am sending you like lambs among wolves…”:
Being a missionary pushes us to transcend our boundaries (cultural, religious, social,
moral standard)[1]
and embrace others, sometimes at the risk of misunderstanding,
resistance, or even persecution. St Luke, whose legacy we honor today, was no
stranger to such challenges. Yet, he pressed on, fortified by the divine grace.
The Essence of Simplicity:
When Jesus instructed his
disciples to travel light, he underscored the virtue of divine providence. In our
earthly pilgrimage, there are things that can distract us from our primary
mission. By embracing simplicity, we can better focus on what truly matters:
our relationship with God and our call to serve others.
Peace as Our Gift for
others:
The first message the
disciples are to proclaim is “Shalom”, meaning “Peace”. While this aligns with
the customary Jewish greetings, Jesus’ directive goes deeper. As the source of
true peace, He charges us to bestow upon others what he gifted us (refer to
John 14:27). It means that the disciples have to open wider hearts and hands to
receive what is to be offered to others. As followers of Christ, we are to carry
the gift of His peace. When we enter people, let’s try to radiate the peace,
Joy and Love of Christ. Our world is in dare need of peace; but yet, how many
really know the author and giver of peace? Jesus says that If our peace is not accepted,
we should move forward, undeterred in our mission.
The Kingdom is Near:
Each gesture of love,
every word of encouragement, and every moment of genuine listening, every act
of peace we offer to others each day draw the kingdom of God closer. Like Luke,
our role isn't just to talk about the kingdom but to actively demonstrate it
through our actions.
As we celebrate the feast
of St. Luke, let's embrace our unique roles as modern-day evangelists. We are
all called to be a living gospel for other. Although this is quite challenging,
but with God it become possible. Our daily interactions, our acts of kindness,
and our dedication to the teachings of Christ are the stories we pen in the
hearts of those we meet.
Let us Pray:
Lord, on this feast day
of St. Luke, inspire us to embrace our divine calling as bearers of the Gospel.
Like Luke, may we be storytellers of Your love and grace, using our lives as
living testaments of Your teachings.
Grant us the courage to
evangelize with authenticity, the simplicity to focus solely on You, and the
serenity to be carriers of Your peace. As we journey forth, remind us that
every act of love and kindness brings Your kingdom closer to our hearts and to
those we encounter. St. Luke, pray for us, that we might pen Your story not
just with words, but with our actions and deeds. Amen.
May God bless you today
as you listen to His Word!
HAPPY FEAST OF ST LUKE🙏🙏🙏
[1] A typical
example of this crossing borders is the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan
woman in John 4, 1-42.
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