14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 66:10-14
Galatians 6:14-18
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Intro: there's a sense of urgency in today's Gospel today as Jesus commissions His disciples to go out and preach the Good News of salvation. We're entrusted with exactly the same mission and message: God loves us, and He wants us to show that love to others by our own way of life.
Readings: the restored Temple in Jerusalem is a place of mercy, comfort and peace, and Isaiah uses the image of a mother's love for her child to express the love which God has for His people.
Paul concludes his Letter to the Galatians by stating that he has nothing to boast about except the cross of Christ, and only one thing matters: that they have become a new people through the power of Christ's cross.
The seventy-two mentioned in today's Gospel had to be prepared to do exactly what Jesus asked of them: to be trail-blazers, pioneers, John the Baptists, sent out to prepare the way where Jesus Himself would follow. It would never be a straightforward journey - no money, no luggage, no footwear - more like an endurance test. Nowadays, the equivalent would be "no mobile phone, no currency, no credit cards; no luggage, because there'll be nothing to pack, don't bother with a change of shoes; settle wherever you're made welcome and eat whatever is set before you, even if it's grey mince and a poached egg!" In short, Jesus was calling on them to rely on providence and the generosity of those who welcomed them, moving on from all those whose doors remained closed. But to all, open or closed, the message was to be the same: the nearness of God's Kingdom.
Why so little baggage? Jesus wanted them to be like Him - uncluttered by possessions, bearing the simple message of healing and peace. To live according to the Kingdom of God is to be less concerned about material possesions and more about living the Gospel message. A sort of spiritual down-sizing
Today's Gospel teaches us that we are all called to prepare the way for Christ by the way in which we live and witness to our faith. It reminds us that sometimes material things can get in the way of following the Gospel. And sometimes, no matter what our personal resources are, we're brought to the realisation that there are some certain absolutely basic things which matter in life; not least among which is faith.
The Spirit Who transformed Saul into Paul is the same Spirit given to us to preach the Gospel by the daily living of our lives. Not a spirit of timidity, but one of love, power and self-control. So forget about going barefoot and hungry .. simply live the Gospel .. showing by your personal way of life that its message is important to you as you battle with yourselves, hostile people and situations - and even the quality of your next meal - brown the mince first!
[ A Rabbi once asked his students how they could tell when night was over and a new day had begun. Some of his students thought it was when you could identify a specific kind of tree; others when you could distinguish between a cat and a fox in the garden,.and so on. The rabbi's answer was, "You know a new day has begun when you see people in the street and recognise that they are your brothers and sisters. Until then, it will always be night." ]
Intercessions
Let us pray today for God's grace to be missionaries and meet this world's troubles, and our own, with a spirit of peace, tranquillity and calm:-
1. For the Church. May each of us, as its members, feel the need and the urgency to proclaim with our lives, the nearness of Your Kingdom in a spirit of of gentleness and conviction - Lord, hear us.
2. For the government and leaders in our own country. May they strive earnestly to promote peace, which will only come through justice for all - Lord, hear us.
3. For all those overcome with feelings of bitterness or hatred, in need of healing. May Your gift of peace help transform their lives and bind up hearts which are broken - Lord, hear us.
4. Give courage and strength to our young people. Help them to choose their work, and make the right decisions for their way of life
- Lord, hear us.
5. Give patient tolerance to those who are no longer young, and open the hearts of the young to accept from them understanding and love - Lord, hear us.
6. For Jimmy Jenkins and John Devlin who have died recently; and for Teresa Watson, whose anniversary wel call to mind. May they experience the everlasting peace of Your Kingdom - Lord, hear us.
Lord, You gave Your own disciples all they needed by way of grace and courage to face their journey of faith. May we have the same enthusiasm, as we work in Your service