Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist

Editor's Note: We continue this special feature provided by John Gregory with the Haydock Commentary found at the bottom of each page of the Douay-Rheims Bible. With the type so small in most bibles, we publish it here in larger type in conjunction with the Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday Mass, with the cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary penned by Father George Leo Haydock. For the Double of the Second Class Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, one of the author of the Gospels and to whom the Acts of the Apostles are attributed, the focus is on evangelizing and the manner in which Our Lord followed the same procedure as Moses did to the tribes in assigning six disciples to each of the twelve apostles for 72 in all and instructed them to trust in God's providence and express true charity through their work for the Lord and expect charity in return for their labors for Jesus says "a laborer is worth his hire", indicating the need for those who work in the harvest for souls to be taken care of in the proper way of anyone else who would provide a service. Perhaps, until Pentecost, few of those disciples and even the Apostles realized what Christ meant when He "The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He send laborers into His harvest. Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves." Later, as we know in St. John 21: 15-16, Jesus tells His Apostles, especially Peter to "Feed My lambs."

Lesson: 2 Corinthians 8:  16-24

16 And thanks be to God, Who hath given the same carefulness for you in the heart of Titus.

Commentary on Verse 16 & c.:  The apostle then tells them, that he has sent Titus, and two other brethren of known probity and honesty, lest any one should suspect, that he, or they should turn these charitable contributions to their own profit and advantage by enriching themselves, that no one, saith he, might find fault with us in this abundance, which is managed by us. (Witham)

17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation: but being more careful, of his own will he went unto you.

18 We have sent also with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel through all the churches:

Commentary on Verse 18:  Brother, whose praise is in the gospel, through all the Churches. It may either signify in writing or in preaching the gospel, so though Saint Jerome expound this of Saint Luke, who wrote his gospel, (but probably not till after this time) yet Saint John Chrysostom rather understands it of Barnabas, by the words that follow, who was ordained by the Churches companion of our travels. Others also guess it might be Silas or Silvanus. Who the third brother was, is also uncertain. (Witham) – Commentators vary in their opinions upon the person here mentioned. Saint John Chrysostom and Theo. are of opinion, that this person is Saint Luke or Barnabas; Saint Jerome also thinks that is must be Saint Luke the evangelist.

19 And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:

20 Avoiding this, lest any man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us.

21 For we provide good things, not only before God, but also before men.

22 And we have sent with them our brother also, whom we have often proved diligent in many things: but now much more diligent, with much confidence in you,

23 Either for Titus, who is my companion and fellow-laborer towards you, or our brethren, the apostles of the churches, the glory of Christ.

Commentary on Verse 22 & 23:  With much confidence in you, either for Titus, & c. Some expound it of the confidence which this the third brother had in the Corinthians, but it seems rather to be understood of the confidence which Saint Paul himself had in them, that they would shew great respect both to Titus, and to the other brethren whom he sent. He concludes, (verse 24) by exhorting them to these charitable contributions, which he calls the manifestation of their charity, in the sight of the Churches. Literally, in the face of the Churches, in your public meetings. (Witham) – Most commentators understand here Apollo, but without any certainty. (bible de Vence)

24 Wherefore shew ye to them, in the sight of the churches, the evidence of your charity, and of our boasting on your behalf.

 Gospel: St. Luke 10: 1-9

1 At that time, the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and he sent them two and two before His face, into every city and place, whither He Himself was to come.

Commentary on Verse 1:  Other seventy-two. Most Greek copies, and the Syriac version, have seventy, as in the Protestant translation. Yet there seems no doubt but the true number was seventy-two. For seventy-two may be called seventy; but had they been only seventy, they could never have been called seventy-two. This was also the exact number of the judges chosen to assist Moses: (Exodus 24: 1) though called seventy, (Numbers 11: 16) as it is evident, because there were six chosen out of every one of the twelve tribes. In like manner the exact number of the interpreters called the Septuagint must have been seventy-two; and also the just number of the Sanhedrin. – Two and two, that one might be a help and comfort to the other; as also a witness of the carriage and behaviour of his companion. (Witham)

2 And He said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He send laborers into His harvest.

3 Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves.

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way.

Commentary on Verse 4:  As Moses formerly chose twelve elders as princes and fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel, and afterwards gave to each of these elders six others, to assist them in the ardous work of governing the people, so our divine Savior chose twelve apostles to govern His Church. He likewise afterwards gave six disciples to each apostle, which makes 72, to serve as priests, and assist in governing the Church. (Tirinus) – Salute no man, i.e. go forwards promptly, and do not stay to amuse yourselves with vain compliments and useless civilities towards those whom you meet. This was a proverb. Eliseus said the same to Giezi, when he sent him to restore life to the child of the widow of Sunamis. If any man meet you, salute him not; think of nothing but of executing the orders I give you. (Calmet)

5 Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house:

6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall return to you.

7 And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house.

8 And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you;

9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

Haydock Commentary for the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist