The Epistle, referring to the dying days of late autumn, bids us “redeem the time” we may have lost in not preparing during the spring and summer of life. Nevertheless, if we but return to God with “all hope” “in due season” He will fill us with “blessing” (Gradual) for our Holy Sacrifice will be healing “medicine” against eternal death (Secret) while the Holy Sacrament will now help us to live as God commands (Postcommunion) .When the centurion received “blessings.” especially of faith, he immediately propagated the faith in his “whole house” of relations and workmen. In this day of religious ignorance, God expects us to be lay apostles out of a sense of gratitude, and to be ready to “speak religion” in and outside the house.
Commemoration is made of Propagation of the Faith in the Mass today and St. Luke Evang. Slight bow is made toward the Crucifix when St. Luke is mentioned in the Canon. In the Gospel of St. Luke, we learn about the childhood of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin. The Apostle gave us some of the most precious parables of Our Lord, including the prodigal son and the lost sheep. Plenary Indulgence today for those who visit a church or oratory and pray for conversion of pagans under the usual conditions. One Mass of the Propaganda of the Faith may be celebrated with commemoration of the XX Sunday After Pentecost in places where there is more than one Mass.