Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 10, 1-9
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.”
He chose them and sent them
1) He appointed them. It is Jesus who chooses you. He is the center, and as disciples we must take Him to others. You become a disciple because Jesus calls you and you fulfil a mission for Him. Jesus chooses you to be close to Him and from Him you go out and announce the Good News. That announcement comes from Jesus’s call and from being with Him. Remember that God chooses you and sends you out.
2) Sent out. A follower of Jesus cannot remain still, he cannot be lazy or lack dynamism to face things, he must generate a giving atmosphere where Jesus is present. And to begin with, he must create fraternity and peace. Jesus’s messenger is invited to heal people and relieve suffering. By this I am referring not only to the priest and the catechist, but also to each of us who make up the church. We are all called to announce Jesus. We must be people who help and relieve; not weigh down or push away our brothers and sisters.
3) Do not carry anything. The key is to put yourself in the hands of Jesus and walk with him, knowing that God will set people along your path for you to evangelize and enlighten. You must go out without prejudice and without your own pre-judgements. Go out and evangelize knowing that Jesus’ presence gives you the grace to face difficult situations. Abandon yourself to the Holy Spirit and you will have peace.
God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And don’t forget that Heaven is our goal!
