Two Scripture Meditations. St. Luke, Lectionary # 661, and Tuesday, Oct. 19 # 474
145:10-11.12-13.17-18. Luke 10:1-9:
Lectionary # 661:
While Paul is in prison in Rome, he writes to Timothy and mentions the
evangelist Luke. Poignantly we hear his voice saying, "I have no one but
Luke." That is not too bad for Luke is considered as a physician in our
tradation and a partner who travelled with Paul on his second and third
mission journeys that are given in the "We" (Luke? and Paul) sections of
the Acts of the Apostles--the idyllic history of the early Church that is
written by Luke after finishing his Gospel. We learn much from the first
few lines of both the Gospel and the Acts about our feast day saint. Luke
is mentioned in Philemon 24, an authentic letter of Paul, and in Colossians
4:14 as well as in our passage from II Timothy 4:11.
Luke as a good pastoral theologian and inspired Evangelist keeps a type of
parallel of the Acts of the Apostles with what happened during the ministry
of Jesus in the Gospel. Thus we can learn more about him by our study and
meditations on both of these inspired writings of the New Testament. Luke
may have also written the story of the woman caught in adultery that is
attached to St. John's Gospel 7:53-8:11.
The Psalm response and several verses can easily be accommodated to the
person of Luke. The texts remind us of Luke's activity as an inspired
writer, a witness to the Good News and the Kingdom: "Let them discourse of
the glory of your kingdom." The universalism of Luke is also seen in the
Psalm.
The Gospel continues with the universal message of salvation brought by
Jesus to the whole world and the universe. There is a mention of the need
for workers in the harvest of people into the kingdom just as Jesus called
the first disciples to be "fishers of people." There is need for
seventy-two to represent the need for many to get to the nations of the
world during Luke's life time. St. Gregory the Great interprets the
sending of the seventy-two out to preach while doing so in pairs. "The
Lord sends his disciples out to preach in twos in order to teach us
silently that whoever fails in charity toward his neighbor should by no
means take upon himself the office of preaching....He sends his disciples
out two by two, because the precept of charity toward one's neighbor is
twofold: love of God and of one's neighbor." (St. Gregory the Great).
Peace is emphasized in their going to all the cities and villages
announcing the Good News. They knock on the doors of the houses and enter
with a greeting of Peace. They proclaim, "The kingdom of God is at hand."
We may add the theme of peace to the other great themes of Luke: The Virgin
Mary, the Holy Spirit, universal salvation because Jesus is Lord, mercy,
kindness, love for the poor, blessedness, and prayer. We thank God for the
gift of Saint Luke and what he has done for all believers through his
writings. Amen.
Scripture for Oct.19, continuos reading from Luke 12:35-38. Lectionary #
474:
Ephesians 2:12-22. Psalm 85:9-10.11-12.13-14. Luke 12:35-38:
Certainly in your experience of the saints you have heard that many tried
to live out each day as though it were their last. In our Gospel readings
we listen to Luke telling us how Jesus insisted on our being ready for that
last day. It may often be the first thing for the saints to think about
and maybe the last thing we usually think about. Jesus is speaking to us
and to his disciples about the urgency, the attentiveness, and the need for
being always prepared for the coming of the Master who returns from a
wedding at midnight. When the Lord knocks on the door of our hearts we are
to open to him and let him reside within us as our loving friend and Lord.
This entire gospel passage is very compelling and inviting. It helps us get
our eyes to focus on the kingdom and the ultimate goal of our life which is
union with God. Aquinas tells us that our intention is often the first
thing to get us started even though it may be the last thing to be done.
Our intention, like that of the saints and those who took Jesus' words
literally have lived each day as if it were their last. Maybe we cannot do
that, but it is worth a try once in a while.
We can look at the passage several times and discover how directive and
demanding it is on our following the Lord up to Jerusalem and all that
means theologically and symbolically for us. Words that jump out at us are
"burning lamps ready," "belts fastened," (good advice for those who
drive!), "awaiting the Lord's return," "without delay," "wide awake," and
being "prepared" (semper paratus--always ready). We get the message. We
only need to embrace it and live it out just for today. Tomorrow will take
care of itself. Amen.
posted by Fr. Bert SM at 8:59 AM
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