Wednesday, October 18, 2006

St. Luke

At Mass today I was struck by how lonely Paul sounds. Only Luke stuck around it seems ... I wonder what happened? Who would desert the mighty Apostle? You know, some of us tend to romanticize the "early Church." It was all so wonderful and rosy then. Until one actually reads the New Testament. Hints of the obstacles and traps and pitfalls turn up everywhere.

Things haven't changed too much have they?

St. Luke, pray for us. Say a special prayer for all doctors too!

Beloved:
Demas, enamored of the present world,
deserted me and went to Thessalonica,
Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.
Luke is the only one with me.
Get Mark and bring him with you,
for he is helpful to me in the ministry.
I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus.
When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas,
the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.

Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm;
the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
You too be on guard against him,
for he has strongly resisted our preaching.

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
2 Tim 4:10-17b

1 comment:

Heather said...

It's amazing how sad and hopeful he sounded in one letter. It was as if he had this real complaint (that isn't the right word, but I can't think of another right now) and wasn't whiny about it.

He didn't seem upset Luke was the only one - more concerned. And yet still confident as he sent Tychicus to someone else.

This is probably sad to you, but I've never heard this story before. What an interesting view of the lives of those that carried the message on.