- 1st Reading – Isaiah 66:10-14c
- 2nd Reading – Galatians 6:14-18
- Gospel – Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
St. Luke tells us in today’s Gospel of the 72 disciples Jesus sent out. There was too much to do for just his 12 Apostles. Jesus had to recruit quite a few more helpers. As he said, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Then he warned them that it would be a dangerous job. They would be like lambs in the midst of wolves. That’s not a very appealing image. Lambs have no defenses except the defense of their shepherd, and Jesus knew his Heavenly Father would watch over them. Jesus sent them out in pairs. He knows we need each other’s support in our journey of faith. They were told not to take any money or belongings on their journey because they needed to learn to rely on God to provide for them. They had God’s peace which they were to share with whomever was open to it. They had power over demons and the gift to heal the sick. It seems they were received with open arms wherever they went because they came back to Jesus full of joy. Jesus had sent them out ahead of himself to tell the people the kingdom of God was at hand.
So, what is the kingdom of God? We pray for it all the time: thy kingdom come.” Jesus preached about it often, usually in parables. It’s something not all people understand and therefore some don’t want a part of it. But for those who open their hearts to the kingdom, it will be a wonderful and glorious place. Like a great banquet, a wedding feast, a peaceful place full of nothing but love. However, many people want to hold onto the riches of this world, they cling to the little bits and pieces in their lives that make them happy so much so, they can’t believe there could be anything better. But if we open ourselves in faith to whatever God asks of us, we will already begin to know God’s kingdom. Then we will understand Jesus’ parable that the kingdom is like a treasure buried in a field, or a pearl of great price. The kingdom is something we can’t see now, but it is near for those who see it in faith.