2 Tim 4:10-17 / Luke 10:1-9
St. Luke was not one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus, but he is venerated as the Evangelist who wrote the fourth gospel as well as the Acts of the Apostles. This is the traditional view of the Church.
Although he was not mentioned in the gospels, he was featured in the epistles of St. Paul of the New Testament.
He was mentioned in St. Paul's Epistle to Philemon, verse 24. He is also mentioned in Colossians 4:14. And he was also mentioned in the 1st reading of today. St. Paul mentioned about him in only five words - Only Luke is with me.
And that said volumes about St. Luke because St. Paul was suffering persecution and abandonment and his only source of consolation was that he had the company of St. Luke, and by mentioning that, it showed how much St. Paul appreciated him.
Furthermore, it was nearing the end of St. Paul's life in Rome that St. Luke was keeping him company and that was a testimony of how much St. Luke was involved in the ministry of the early Church as well as of his faith and character.
St. Luke knew first hand the challenges and difficulties of the mission of proclaiming the Good News and also the commitment and the sacrifices that are involved.
So as we read about his account in the gospel of Jesus sending out His disciples, we can sense that it was from the depths of his missionary experience that he wrote it.
Yes, we are being sent out to proclaim the Good News but it is like lambs being sent among wolves.
Yet in the midst of danger and difficulties, let us keep in mind how St. Luke kept St. Paul company.
It is in keeping company with each other in unity and peace that we are able to face the wolves and proclaim the Good News of God's saving love.