Gentle Gentile

Greetings on this the Feast of Saint Luke, evangelist
Readings: 2 Tm 4:10-17b; PS 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18; Lk 10:1-9
Notes:

Sorry! I love the Franciscans way of saying things. So sue me!

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-luke

Reflection

Luke wrote as a Gentile for Gentile Christians. His Gospel and Acts of the Apostles reveal his expertise in classic Greek style as well as his knowledge of Jewish sources. There is a warmth to Luke’s writing that sets it apart from that of the other synoptic Gospels, and yet it beautifully complements those works. The treasure of the Scriptures is a true gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.

First reading
The three letters, First and Second Timothy and Titus, form a distinct group within the Pauline corpus (NABRE).

Holy Connections

Below we see the Apostle Paul has distinct connections to Luke (the evangelist) who wrote the Gospel according to Luke (with the companion work of the Acts of the Apostles) and John-Mark who wrote the gospel according to Mark.

Luke is the only one with me.
Get Mark and bring him with you,
for he is helpful to me in the ministry.

So Paul recounts those who were good to him and how they are faithful to the Gospel message of Jesus.

AND Paul recounts those who were awful to him and how they are faithless to the Gospel message of Jesus.

1. Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica.
2. Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm.

NEVERTHELESS
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.

Paul was a gentle Jew.
He was focused on the most important things, while not neglecting the cautions and discernment of persons.
But he wants for all to have salvation.

Responsorial Psalm
Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Alleluia Verse
I chose you from the world,
to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

Gospel Portion
Gentleness Axiom.

Pauline Caution

1. Don’t believe every good thing said about you.
2. Don’t take to heart every bad thing said about you.

Reasons Why

1. In the first instance, the good things will go to your head and close your mind to change.
2. In the second instance, the bad things will go to your heart and cause unnecessary pain.

Fr. Dr. Gabriel Ghanoum, PsyD, BCC

Into whatever house you enter,
first say, ‘Peace to this household.’
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves payment.

Remember. You may need to stay in a house that has NO PEACE.
But while you are there, there is peace and the hope of continued peace by conversion.

This is gentleness.
It is the divine work.
It hurts.

Because for those without peace, do they not surely need:
The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry