Reflection for Saturday October 18 Feast of Saint Luke, Evangelist: Luke 10:1-9

Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two 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 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.’”

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Reflection:

A young man once decided to become a follower of Jesus, but he did not leave behind his worldly lifestyle. He was still living a sinful and hedonistic life, and he did not cut his ties with his friends who loved this world more than God. After a few months, he noticed that he was not able to convince anyone to follow the Lord.

This story mirrors many of our own journeys. We may have chosen to follow Jesus, yet there are times when we hold on to certain habits, desires, or attachments that keep us from fully embracing Him. How can we become effective bearers of the teachings of Jesus if our lives don’t reflect His values?

To truly lead others to Jesus, we must live simply, avoid every form of sin, and depend on Him every day of our lives. This doesn’t mean that we should just lie idle and wait for manna from heaven to fall upon us on a silver platter. It means we still have to work hard—but with hearts anchored in simplicity and trust. When we let the values and teachings of Jesus take control of our lives, we shine His light without even uttering a word.

Is it still possible to live simply in a world where greed, materialism, and accumulation seem to rule? Yes, it is. The choice rests in our hands. Will we allow the culture of greed to shape us, or will we let the simple lifestyle of Jesus transform us from within?

When Jesus sent the seventy-two disciples on their mission, He instructed them to live simply and to depend totally on Him. He knew that this was the only way they could be effective bearers of the Good News. Their power did not come from wealth, status, or possessions—it came from their total surrender and trust in God.

If we desire to be fruitful and faithful laborers in the Lord’s vineyard, we, too, must learn to live simple lives and to trust not in ourselves but in the providence of God. This was the way Jesus lived. He did not rely on His own strength but trusted fully in the Father’s love, guidance, and goodness.

The world may tempt us with comfort, luxury, and self-reliance, but Jesus invites us to a better way—the way of simplicity, trust, and surrender. When we live this way, our lives become living testimonies of God’s love and grace.

Are we truly letting Jesus take control of our lives, or are we still clinging to the world’s empty promises? What step can we take today to live more simply and depend more fully on Him? — Marino J. Dasmarinas