The Word of God
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house!" And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you." But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, "Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near." I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.
Luke 10:1-12
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus wants us all to cooperate in the salvation of our brothers and sisters. The first step in this work is to pray for a particular intention: that the Lord of the harvest send labourers into his harvest. This is something that we can all do, no matter what our situation. If we do it, we can rest assured that our effort will not go unrewarded.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Sometimes, in the quest to encounter Jesus in our own hearts, we forget the other side of the story. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two. He proclaimed that where two or three are gathered in his name, he is there among them. Jesus calls us to walk with one another, and draw from one another, on the journey. How well do I understand and respond to this message that discipleship is not a solitary endeavour?
- In instructing the disciples to travel light, Jesus is encouraging them to depend on him for all that they need to accomplish their mission. What heavy baggage am I carrying that slows me down on my spiritual journey?
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus wanted his disciples to be also apostles, he sent them to take to others what they had heard and experienced. He sent them in pairs, not alone, to all the towns and villages. I read Jesus’ instructions slowly, and hear him sending me to take the Good News to others, like a sheep among wolves, depending only on him and the power of his word.
- ‘Let your first words be, “Peace to this house!”’ The spreading of the Gospel brings peace, and Jesus once said that peacemakers are blessed because they are children of God. I look at my own life, and pray that I may not be deaf to this call to be a peacemaker in this violent and intolerant world.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Here is a set of detailed instructions for the earliest disciples, who are sent throughout the countryside in an extensive programme of visiting. Rather like John the Baptist, they 'go ahead' of Jesus, preparing the way for his own appearance in these places.
- Can I describe my own witness as a Christian in a similar way? In my dealings with people, I quietly prepare them for an encounter with Christ who has not yet been welcomed into their lives. Perhaps, having met me, they will be better able to recognise Him when he comes?
- 'Your peace will return to you'. There is a real comfort in this verse: that I can hope for a sense of blessing, even when my efforts have been rejected, or are unsuccesful. Without this 'peace which returns to me', it would be easy for me to become discouraged, bitter or cynical. Is there a grace here, which I need to pray for - the 'peace which returns'? Perhaps Saint Francis, whose feast we celebrate today, can help me to pray for it.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus sends out a large group of his followers on mission ahead of him, leaving them in no doubt about the challenges which will await them, how many people will not welcome them. We get a picture of the unredeemed world where peace is patchy and love is often lacking. Do what you can, he tells them, to offer healing, comfort, peace and harmony.
- Looking around the globe today we see many examples of hostility, injustice and lack of love. The gospel challenges us to be messengers of peace. Maybe by entering into the chaos of someone within your own radius you will discover that “the kingdom of God has come near” and that you are one of the “seventy others” bringing the good news of the kingdom. Perhaps, quietly bring to mind one person that you know who is suffering and who needs “the good news” of human support.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- One of the great gifts that Jesus wishes to share with us is peace, and that we should share it with each other.
- Perhaps I can recall those whom I have the ability to share peace with. How do I feel when my goodwill is rejected? I can ask the Lord to strengthen me in my resolve to be a peace-bearer and for the grace to be able to ‘fight nice’ when I meet opposition.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- To spread God’s kingdom, Jesus chooses to depend on the various gifts of his chosen ones. He sends us out just as we are. We carry little except our limited strengths and our frailties. The gift of peace that we can bring, to those who accept us, is more precious than any casual roadside conversation.
- Lord, peace means tranquillity of spirit. It is a great gift to give to others. But before I share it, I must be possessed by it myself. Christian peace comes from knowing that you love me endlessly, that you are always with me and watching out for me. You are my Shepherd and you will lead me along the right path.
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Am I receptive to God’s word spoken to my heart each day? I thank God for the help that Sacred Space gives me to become a true hearer of the Word.
- Peace is an integral part of the kingdom of God. ‘The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding’ (Romans 14:17,19). I pray to be like Saint Francis who was a messenger of peace and reconciliation. ‘Lord, make me a channel of your peace!’
Some thoughts on today's scripture
ActiveDefault- Jesus, you came as one bringing peace, and told us to greet people with a word of peace, not hostility, or judgment. May your blessing flow through me, so that when I leave people, they may feel approved of, contented and tranquil.
- There's something in this bit of the gospel about being single-minded in the service of the Lord. Where you find a good place to spread the word, you stay there. You move on if there is no openness. Our big message is that the kingdom of God is very near. This nearness is in the person of Jesus. God's reign of love and justice is near to us when we are closely in touch with the Lord Jesus.
- A harvest can be ruined by a lack of workers. A field full of fruit can go to waste when there are not enough people to pick the fruit. The world is the harvest of God where his love and his word are sown. Without the followers of Jesus, the word is unspoken and even the love of God is unrecognised. Prayer can increase our desire to spread the word and love of Jesus Christ in our immediate surroundings.
- These instructions of Jesus seem to be about being single-minded in his service. We put trust in him rather than in having spares of everything or by depending on money. Prayer and service, love of others and of the poor, bring the kingdom near in word and deed.
- The Lord had his helpers - people went before him to announce he was coming. The kingdom of God is never spread on one's own. As a community we listen to the word of God and respond. Team work is the way forward for any Christian community. Prayer helps us recognise the gifts and talents of everyone, and the dignity of each of us in the sight of God.
- There is an encouragement here from Jesus to place trust only in him as we work for the kingdom of God. We are to carry little for the journey. Often what we do in faith and love seems to bear little fruit. Offered to the work of Jesus in the world, we never know when it may bear fruit. We are people who work hard for the Lord and leave the results to him.
- Jesus sees that the harvest was great and tells us to ask God for help. Wherever I see need, I will look for God's help and see what I can do.
- Jesus does not want the disciples to be encumbered but wants them to be free and ready to move in his service, proclaiming peace. I pray for the freedom I need to be a messenger of peace and a witness to God's presence.