MY daily reflection and prayer:
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
THERE are so many topics we can reflect on in the Gospel reading today. For our today’s reflection, let’s focus on the passage of the Gospel today about Jesus who appointed seventy others, and sent them as lambs in the midst of wolves on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. They were sent to proclaim love, peace and that the kingdom of God has come near. And they returned to Jesus with joy. He confirmed them to rejoice in the name of God who has written their names in heaven. What can we reflect on?
First, Jesus appointed seventy disciples and sent them to proclaim love, peace and that the kingdom of God has come near. In the time of Jesus, seventy was very significance for it held all nations of the whole world (cfr. Gen 10:1-32; Ex 1:5). In the Book of Numbers, Moses chose seventy leaders to help him in leading people through the wilderness to the promised land (Num 11:16-17, 24-25).
So by appointing seventy disciples and sending them two by two Jesus, anticipated the spread of the Gospel to the whole world. As the New Moses, he chose seventy disciples to help him in leading people to the new promised land through the wilderness of this world.
Second, Jesus sent them two by two as a lamb in the midst of wolves. It means that of course proclaiming the Good News and being true to faith is not without trials and risks. But they should not be afraid for however he assured them that God would be always with them all the times. It’s why he said, “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals.”
Third, after doing their mission , they returned to Jesus with joy. He confirmed them to rejoice in the name of God who has written their names in heaven.
What is the significance and relevance this Gospel story for us today? First, the Kingdom of Gos is intended and openned to all people of all nations. And so does the Good News.
Second, as Jesus sent seventy disciples, so now he sends us to do the same. We are sent to proclaim love, peace and that the kingdom of God has come near. We are called to present his love, peace, and mercy in our dealing with others. We are sent to use our talents to proclaim the Good News in this world.
Third, we are also sent as lambs in the midst of wolves but we must not be afraid for he is always with us. Even he is always with us like “a mother supports her child” (cfr. Isaiah 66:13). He challenges and asks us to go on God’s name and he assures our life. It makes us rejoice in the Lord of God, although there are so many trials and risks we face.
In the end of the Eucharist celebration we are given this mission. The Mass is ended. Go in peace. Joyfully we respond: Amen. It means that we are ready to do this task of mission.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist while worshipping Jesus Christ we realize that we are appointed and sent to go and to serve all people as well. We ask him to assure us that we can do this task joyfully with love and simplicity, full of charity and peace, without guile. Are we aware of this mission, that Jesus Christ also sends us to happily proclaim his word of God to the world, without expecting reward?
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for choosing us to proclaim your love, mercy and salvation to the world. While doing this mission we also realize that the true source of our joy is always coming from you who saved us. Thank you for assurring us that you have all powers over evil, including the power of Satan and evil spirits who conspire against us. Help us faitfully proclaim the truth of your merciful love wherever we go forever and ever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
