Readings
I - 2Tim: 4:10-17
II - Lk. 10: 1-9
St. Luke, Evangelist (Feast)
BECOME AN EFFECTIVE MESSENGER OF THE GOOD NEWS
Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Luke, a gentile convert, passionate proclaimer of Christ and the evangelist. He was a physician by profession. He was the author of the Gospel according to Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. He was the disciple and the missionary companion to Paul. The infancy narrative recorded in his Gospel was the first hand information from Mother Mary herself. He had a great love and devotion towards the Mother of God. Besides being a professional physician, St. Luke was also an artist. The portrait of Mother Mary brought by St. Thomas the Apostle still displayed in St. Thomas Mount, Chennai was painted by St. Luke himself. He lit the light of faith in the lives of people through his work, words and very life.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends out the seventy two in pairs to proclaim the Good News, with enough and above instructions and explanations. The same mission is entrusted to us too through our Baptism. It would never suffice if we were to preach the Good News with words alone. We are called and commissioned to proclaim Christ through our lives as well. Our very life should inspire and enkindle the faith of people around. Then can we call ourselves the followers of Christ. Let us invoke the intercession of St. Luke to help us follow the Lord passionately and propagate the faith in Christ with our very lives. May the light our life imbue everyone to come under the flock of the Good Shepherd. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, empower me to be your effective messenger”.
