The Lord Stood by Me
Piety
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. 2 Timothy 4:16-17B
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so, ask the
master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold,
I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no
sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first
say, 'Peace to this household.' Luke 10:2-5
Study
In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter three episodes in which Jesus
instructs his followers to go out on a mission. Anytime I meet a similar story
two or three times in the Bible, I figure it is there to hit me over the head
with emphasis.
In the first commissioning, Jesus sent out the original Twelve
disciples. In today’s Good News, he sends a larger group. The instructions
continue to prepare his disciples to witness to his life and to imitate his
ministry. We also get a sense of the urgency and singlemindedness required of
missionaries. They must leave behind attachment to not only material
possessions but also casual relationships. If the disciples find people who are
not welcoming, Jesus urges them to move on.
In the third “commission” (later in Luke 22), Jesus looks back on this
episode that served as preparation for the time when Jesus would no longer be
with his followers. The final commissioning occurs right before heading into
the Garden for Holy Thursday night to pray.
When Jesus makes his last private comments to his friends, he tells them
to prepare to face the world’s hostility.
This hatred is the hostility Jesus will soon experience like no other.
Our First Reading provides hope. The letter to Timothy reminds us that
“the Lord stood” by Paul and gave him strength during his trials. Even if
friends and followers desert them, Jesus will be with them.
Action
This week, Jesus invites us to the simplicity of the mission shared by
his followers. He takes us beyond
obedience to the law or acts of piety. He wants us to move to a place where we
entirely rely upon God.
As we embrace God’s love with a renewed sense of our mission, God asks
us to imitate His love and spread it to others. He promises to stand by us as
we announce the Kingdom. How do you
accomplish that?
How do you exercise love towards friend or foe, alike?
How do you respond in faith to simple acts of kindness?
How are you the new conduit of God’s love in our world?
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