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Introduction: What is Your Vocation?
This Sunday’s Gospel begins immediately after the final verse in last Sunday’s passage. After strong (harsh?) language about the difficulties and costs of discipleship, Jesus immediately appoints 72 people to go ahead of him to every town and place he plans to visit. In effect, they were to be the “advance team” to prepare Jesus’ future visits. It’s interesting to note that 72 is a multitude of twelve, the number of the tribes of Israel. Thus, by their going forth, a like number of disciples probably represented the universalism of Jesus’ mission.
There is much debate among Scripture scholars who constituted the seventy-two. Were the Twelve selected from the seventy-two? Or were they independent of them? Were women involved or was the mission restricted to men? These questions are difficult to answer. However, the important point is that Jesus commissions others to do his work on earth – and, as such, the Church (us) does that work with him and in his name today. Jesus welcomes our involvement in mission!
In this Gospel, Jesus gives practical instructions and advice. Both the Twelve and the seventy-two are to travel light – in pairs - with little baggage and perform with a singularity of purpose. “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals, and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.”
What “personal baggage” keeps me from going forth and sharing the Good News? What bogs me down and limits my freedom to serve and minister?
Jesus admits it will be difficult - “Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.”
When have I felt my faith being challenged? What “wolves” do I need to be aware of? To avoid?
Jesus’ mission – as well as ours – is urgent, as implied by how quickly the disciples are to move.
Do you share this urgency of the Gospel? How?
Within this passage, Luke wraps in Jesus’ poignant reflection: “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few.” In reality, this mirrors the traditional “vocation call.”
The call is not only to ordained ministry (priesthood or diaconate) but to lay leadership in the parish/archdiocese – as well as lay ministry in the professional marketplace. Do you hear a call? How will you respond?
This Sunday’s passage ends on a high note. For when the seventy-two return from their journeys, they are rejoicing because their mission has been successful – beyond their wildest dreams.
When have you experienced joy in ministry/service?
I would invite you to take time to read and ponder the words from the Gospel of Luke 10:1-12, 17-20.
What word or words caught your attention?
What in this passage comforted you?
What in this passage challenged you?
Further Questions and Reflections:
“The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs.” Jesus did not send out the disciples as single individuals but in pairs, for mutual support as well as safety. On our own in an often unwelcoming world, it may be almost impossible “to keep our end up.” When have you leaned on others for support?
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 own spiritual journey?
“Let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” As I look at my own life, how and where can I be a peacemaker in an intolerant and polarized society?
Ponder: To spread the Good News, 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 frailties. Yet, we’re called!
Deacon David
Deacon David Suley
St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church
Silver Spring, Maryland
Published with Permission
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