The Holy Gospel according to Luke (10:1-9).
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 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. 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.’ 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 his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection: Today is the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church. Today’s Gospel is taken from the readings for his memorial. I write these reflections the day before they are posted. You will read or hear this reflection on Friday, June 13, but I am writing it on Thursday, June 12. Why do I say this to you? I was ordained a deacon 15 years ago on June 12, 2010. Prior to my ordination and during my discernment, this Gospel from Luke was proclaimed during at a mass I attended. The Letter to the Hebrews (4:12) states, “Indeed, the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” This Gospel certainly did that to me as I heard it proclaimed. This is one of the many instances where God spoke to me through the Scriptures to help me discern my call to the diaconate. God was calling me to be one of his disciples and messengers, to continue His mission, to evangelize and build up the Kingdom of God.
As the Gospel says the Lord Jesus sent the disciples in pairs, two by two. This mission of the Church is never a solitary effort. It is not about being a “lone ranger.” We are to carry out this mission with our brothers and sisters in Christ, trusting in God’s providence.
A few words about St. Anthony of Padua, the saint of the day. He was born in Lisbon, Portugal. He was ordained a priest and became a biblical scholar. His desire to meet St. Francis of Assisi took him to Italy where he joined the Franciscans. He was sent by Francis to preach and teach in northern Italy, first to Bologna and then to Padua. During his teaching and the power of his preaching, he brought many “lost” people back to Jesus.
St. Anthony of Padua is best known for his help in finding lost objects. As a young student in Catholic school, the nuns taught me this simplified prayer to St. Anthony. “Tony, Tony, look around, something lost must be found.” I have prayed this prayer many times when looking for things I have lost or misplaced. St. Anthony has come through more often than not.
Action for the day: If you are discerning a vocation, whether it be to the single life, married life, religious life or holy orders, or just trying to figure out God’s will for your life, pray for the grace to open your heart and mind to listen to the holy scriptures as they are proclaimed. Maybe those words will pierce your heart and help you decide God’s will for you. Also, if you have lost something, pray for the intercession of St. Anthony, “Tony, Tony, look around, something lost must be found.”
Audio Reflection:
Happy Anniversary. We are all so blessed that you and Martha answered God’s call to be deacon!
By the way I named my son after St. Anthony of Padua. Never called either of them Tony though.