The kingdom of God is at hand for you

Listening to the Spirit

Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity.

Spirit of right judgment and courage,
guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus' way of love.

Spirit of knowledge and reverence,
help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another.

May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy and ecology.

Spirit of God,
spark our faith, hope, and love into new action each day.

Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation

Listening to the Word

Luke 10:1-9

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.

He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.

Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

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.’

If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment.

Do not move about from one house to another.

Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

Reflection

Friend: “He is calling you!!”
You: “Who is calling me?”
Friend: “The Lord…He needs some other persons to bring the Good News to all and to tell them that the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Luke, in the Gospel of this XIV Sunday of Ordinary Time, tells us of the sending of 72 other disciples of Jesus (Seventy-two, according to Genesis chapter 10 were the peoples who had not yet known Yahweh, and therefore representing the whole humanity who had not yet known the Lord) to bring the Good News and His Kingdom. It is urgent! The Lord continues to call and to send missionaries to all the countries.

A relevant aspect of the mission is its style:

COMMUNITARIAN DIMENSION.
“He sent ahead of him in pairs”:
There are several reasons for going together: the first one is the authenticity of their message. The words of two people are more truthful than the words of a single person. Because of their being together the word they preach is more valuable. Then being together, they can support each other, they can face obstacles and difficulties with more courage, and they can console each other in time of desolation. One more point is the fact that being at least two persons, there is not only one point of view. Two persons, in their exchange of ideas, can see better the reality and the things that must be done.
LIFESTYLE DIMENSION
“Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way...”
This is the style of the disciples of Jesus: to put their trust in God alone. If our hearts are not able to make space for other people, we will be stuck with the people we feel comfortable with. If our minds are already full of what we know, no more space to welcome new thoughts and new insights for others. If our hands are already full of many gadgets, no more space to welcome the simple and small gifts coming from people who wants to welcome us. If our time is already completely filled with so many activities…therefore no more time for God, to listen to Him and to pray to Him. We are asked to be light…and therefore ready to receive whoever and whatever Providence grants us.
THANKSGIVING DIMENSION
“Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you…Do not move about from one house to another.”
Always grateful for all the things offered to us in our apostolate, in our mission. Never be choosy and never refuse what is offered to us, because it is from the hearts of the people.

The Lord needs us. The Lord needs people willing to share the Good Word, to announce the Kingdom of God: a Kingdom of Listening and Care, of Communion and Reconciliation, of Peace and Dialogue, of Healing and Strengthening.

“Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
'The kingdom of God is at hand for you.'”