Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Saturday, 18 October 2014

Roman Catholic The Word Among Us Daily Mass Reading & Daily Meditation for Saturday, 18 October 2014
Meditation: 2 Timothy 4:9-13 Get here as fast as you can. Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia. Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he’ll be my right-hand man since I’m sending Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks.
14-15 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith. Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he’s got coming.
16-18 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn’t matter—the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!
Saint Luke, Evangelist
Luke is the only one with me. (2 Timothy 4:11)
Today, imagine yourself at an elegant banquet—it’s a celebration for St. Luke. The table is set with polished silverware, a floral centerpiece, and a lavish feast. Many distinguished guests are seated—Peter, John, Mary, and Martha. One glass chimes, and then another. Before you know it, everyone is calling for a speech. Then Luke, a distinguished-looking gentleman, rises and begins to speak.
“Brothers and sisters, I’m honored to be with you. I’d like to tell you why I’m here. You see, I was a physician. I gave my life to treating illness and easing suffering. I liked what I did, and I was good at it.
“But then I learned about Jesus. These apostles gathered here today spoke his words of love and mercy. I saw them heal hopeless medical cases in his name. I saw them change people’s lives with his message of forgiveness. Their message and their witness touched me deeply. In the end, I decided to be baptized and follow Jesus as well.
“When I decided to write my own account of Jesus’ life, I couldn’t help but talk about how merciful he was. I had to include all those wonderful conversion stories: Zacchaeus, Peter, and the thief on the cross. I couldn’t leave out all those healings: the man with the withered hand, the widow from Nain, and so many others. And then there were all those parables like the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son!
“Jesus has always been faithful to me, and that’s what helped me stay faithful to Paul when everyone else had left. I wanted to be a friend to the end, just like Jesus. All I want is to share the mercy that God has shown me—the kindness that has changed my life. Thank you all. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
How about you? Have you come to know the mercy of the Lord? This isn’t just Luke’s slant on Christianity; it’s gospel truth. Jesus is the most faithful friend you could ever have. If you are hurting today, ask him to show you that his grace is deeper than the ocean. Believe that no matter what, he will never leave you. As Luke learned, when we have Jesus, we have all that we need.
“Lord Jesus, I love you with all my heart.” Amen!
Psalm 145:10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
    your holy people bless you.
They talk about the glories of your rule,
    they exclaim over your splendor,
12 Letting the world know of your power for good,
    the lavish splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
    you never get voted out of office.
God always does what he says,
    and is gracious in everything he does.
17 Everything God does is right—
    the trademark on all his works is love.
18 God’s there, listening for all who pray,
    for all who pray and mean it.
Luke 10: Lambs in a Wolf Pack
1-2 Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:
“What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.
3 “On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.
4 “Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.
“Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.
5-6 “When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself.
7 “Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.
8-9 “When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’
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