This Sunday’s Gospel tells us about Jesus appointing the 72 others and then sending them out in pairs to the towns he was going to visit. As he gives his missionary instruction Jesus seems under no illusion about the territory compared to the wolves roaming around, his own crowds are like lambs. He tells the 72 to lead the radical lifestyle of the wandering preacher who must face homelessness and renunciation of family and property. When they enter a house they should bless it with peace. The Gospel also tells us about the practical things to direct the seventy-two as they proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom and in rebuilding community life. Jesus told them to carry no purse, no haversack, and no sandals. Proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom and rebuilding community life are two sides of the same coin. One does not exist and cannot make sense without the other There is a clear urgency about the task in hand Jesus says, “Start off now” with urgency in his voice. On their return the disciples were delighted that their mission has actually worked! Their joy demonstrates that people do welcome the word of God and that the word of God is their real resource for mission.
Jesus counsels them to rejoice not because their mission has worked but because their names are written in heaven. There is a line in this gospel reading that struck me when Jesus tells us that the Harvest is rich and the labourers are few. This is so very true today when we have a shortage of men coming forward to enter the vocation of service that is the priesthood but here in our parish we have always been a parish of vocations to the priesthood diaconate and religious life. But that said we need to keep on Praying for vocations and encouraging people young and not so young to become priests and religious. There will be a time of crisis and for some we are living in a time of crisis with so many things that are wrong in our world in terms of faith and so many other things. There will be times, as we know, when the scorpions will bite us, and when the wolves will have their day. Jesus speaks to us to reassure us and tells us to hold on to all that is good. May our hearts our minds be open to his words! May our hearts direct our minds! And may our minds direct our hands in the work of the Lord. It is our responsibility as people of faith to exercise our mission as the people of God the Body of Christ. The fullness of life is the message and the mission of Jesus who empowers us in our time and place to do his work, and to work in his name.
Jesus assures us that we have a passport, visa, and “green card” for heaven. Our names are already registered there and our mission is to proclaim the good news of salvation to others by our words and our deeds so that the world will believe.
Fullerton T 