A reflection on the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist, during mass with the brothers and sisters at St. Joseph Friary in Chicago
Growing up through middle school and high school, I went on a mission trip each summer with my youth group. For the first few years, we went to Appalachia in Kentucky, and in the later years, we went to a spattering of cities throughout the country. Instead of working in big facilities or organizations, we mostly went to people's homes and did whatever work needed to be done there.
Some days we picked up dog poop in the yard of someone who was immobile or couldn't reach down. Other days we would paint or do construction. But more important than the work were the moments when the people at these homes would invite us in. Oftentimes they cooked us a meal or offered refreshments. They sat down with us, introduced their families, and shared their stories with us.
I think of these moments when I read our gospel today of the calling of the 72 disciples. I feel privileged to be able to preach today not just because Luke is my favorite gospel and a special feast, but because this gospel passage in particular was important for Francis of Assisi. It's really out of this call of the 72 disciples - especially the command to be peacemakers in the world - that Francis situates his life and mission of the friars minor.
Just in my short three years in religious life, I've been welcomed into more homes than I can count. I consider it a privilege in this life to be able to have these encounters with people - to get into people's lives. A perfect example of this was last year when my classmates and I went to Puerto Rico. Milagros and a handful of Puerto Rican women welcomed us into their homes, cooked us feasts every day, ate with us, and shared some of their most precious stories.
So today, I think we should be encouraged in our vocation as missionary disciples. But in a special way as Franciscans, this gospel challenges us to "Go on our way," going beyond our comfort zone to reach people where they're at - not just so we can share our stories and the good things we have to offer - but to be open to receiving and holding the stories and good things that others have to offer us. And on this day especially, may the Lord give you peace!
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