Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – The Feast of St. Luke – October 18 – Luke 10:1-9

The Gospel reading from the Mass for the Feast of St. Luke is Luke 10:1-9.

Having sent out His 12 Apostles on a similar mission (Luke 9:1-6), Christ commissions an expanded group of 70 disciples on a second wave of evangelization.  Christ’s decision to send 70 is prophetic: Moses appointed 70 elders (Num 11:24-25); Genesis describes the all the ancient world as 70 nations (Gen 10) which Jesus will later command to be evangelized (Matt 24:47).

Christ confidently directs His 70 men with precise instructions: He warns of attacks on evangelists (the wolves) and that people and whole cities will reject the Gospel, resulting in their doom (v. 12; see also v. 13-16); He tells disciples to go in poverty (no purse, bag, sandals) and to rely on charity, establishing a firm base in each town with one receptive host; He directs them to perform miracles by healing the sick and then to reveal that the Kingdom of God has drawn near to them.

St. Luke was a Roman citizen who was trained as a physician and was a disciple of St. Paul (Phil 1:24, Col 4:14, 2Tim 4:11) who experienced the many persecutions of Paul and cared for him during imprisonment. Charged by Paul to write an account of the Gospel and early Church, Luke was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (about a quarter of the New Testament). Using the discipline of a physician, St. Luke carefully incorporated existing Gospel accounts (Matthew) as well as eyewitnesses (including the Blessed Virgin Mary, Peter, Paul). St. Luke died of old age and his relics continue to be venerated at  St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague and several other places.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Person of the Trinity, the Son of God establishes and perfects models (i.e. “70”) in Salvation History. Almighty King and Lord, Christ grants authority and decisively directs His men to fight for His Kingdom in the Spiritual Combat against Satan; He grants the power to perform miraculous healing; He gives precise and directive instructions as to the mindset and tactics the Apostles are to use.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1)  Christ’s call of St. Luke is Divine Genius: as a physician, Luke sustains Paul by caring for his injuries and ailments; Luke’s physician training prepares him to write a systematic and disciplined account; Luke incorporates the Blessed Virgin’s accounts of Christ’s early life and first hand accounts of Peter’s and Paul’s establishment of the early Church; as a Greek, Luke is able to write in a way that non-Jews will be able to understand. Reflect on Christ’s excellent decision to call Luke.

2) Like 70 disciples, Luke was a zealous missionary witness. Renew your understanding of the duty to be a Missionary Witness (CCC 2044-2051) and the need for Zeal (CCC 584, 824, 2004, 2750) and pray for Christ to fill you and all Catholic men with missionary zeal.  St. Luke, pray for us!

3) In the day-to-day battle of life, men can forget about the powerful champions Christ has given men in the Saints. Renew your understanding of the Communion of the Saints (CCC 946-962, 2683) and pray for Christ to help you to be strengthened by your Patron Saint(s) (CCC 2165, 2156) and those Saints who can help you prevail over your life challenges.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Glorious Mysteries

Daily Devotion – Saint Joseph

Virtue of the Day – Temperance

Corporal Work of Mercy – To visit the imprisoned

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To comfort the sorrowful