STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

?He sent them two by two?? ? Luke 10:1

There is one principle I have always practiced in my life, and especially in my twenty-two years of ministry work: there is power in numbers.
      I am with university professors who innovatively touch young people?s lives.
      I have worked with communities who go overseas, visiting Filipino workers and bringing Jesus to them.
      I have had the great privilege to perform mission work with groups who love the poor. There are recording companies and musicians whose goal is not only create music, but music that will bring Jesus to others. With the Shepherd?s Voice Publications, of course all of us are brought closer to heaven, creatively.
      Through these people my belief is strengthened that I have made the right choice in life. To love Jesus and to spread His love is so rewarding. Come, let us reach more people together.
      I cannot do things alone. Wherever I have been, the Lord has graced me with people to work with who share my mission. That is, to creatively share Jesus to others.
      I invite you to join the happiest, craziest people on earth. Arun G.

REFLECTION:
Are you a team player, or a team breaker?

Bless our work for You, Lord. Increase the laborers in Your vineyard. Amen.

G O S P E L

Luke 10:1-9

None of us is exempt from the duty to proclaim the Gospel. Just as Jesus sent out the 70 or 72 depending upon what version of the event that you follow, He sends each of us out into our workplaces and communities to bear witness to the Good News. The witness of our lives may be the first point of contact that people have with the Gospel. Let us seek to live faithfully according to the Gospel in order that we can make the best impression possible.

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy ?two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 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. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ?Peace to this household.? 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, ?The kingdom of God is at hand for you.?
 
my reflections
think: None of us is exempt from the duty to proclaim the Gospel.

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God?s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ? S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Matthew 18-20

On this feast day of St. Luke the evangelist, we praise and glorify God for His gift to us of His Word. Thanks to the instrumentality of the biblical writers such as St. Luke, human language has now become a vehicle as well for the Divine Word of God.
      St. Luke, in fact, was a very skillful writer, and to him we owe the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Noticeable, especially in St. Luke?s Gospel, are his sympathy and compassion for women, for the poor and marginalized, and for foreigners. The great Italian poet Dante Alighieri in fact called Luke the ?scriba mansuetudinis Christi,? the faithful recorder of Christ?s lovingkindness. And in his Gospel, St. Luke often portrayed  Jesus in prayer, and he has many references to Mary and to the Holy Spirit.
      Tradition has it that he was a physician by profession, and a painter too. He also became an associate of Paul in his mission. In today?s First Reading, in fact, there is a mention of Luke by Paul. More than just a mention, in fact, it was a veritable tribute given by Paul to the man for his loyalty and dedication: ?I have no one with me but Luke.?
      Such a multifaceted life and person definitely renders honor and praise to God. As the Responsorial Psalm also puts it, ?Your friends tell the glory of your kingship, Lord.? St. Luke can definitely count himself as one of God?s ?friends,? a faithful and diligent worker in His vineyard. He now challenges us and makes us think how we for our part have disposed ourselves to God?s mission, honing our talents for Him and at the same time ?taking instructions? from Him (just like in our Gospel episode today, as it were). May our many endeavors in life (including our talents and capabilities) help also in hastening the reign of God in our midst, and in spreading the Good News. Fr. Martin M.

REFLECTION QUESTION:
Am I an evangelist?

Bless not only my tongue to proclaim the Good News. Bless too my heart and mind, that all I think and say and do will proclaim You.

St. Luke, evangelist, pray for us.