REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today’s Gospel tells of the mission of the 72 other disciples. Jesus gives them instructions as he sends them in pairs. One of the instructions is to carry neither money bag nor sack nor sandals. He further instructs them not to greet anybody along the way. What do these instructions mean? These imply that those who are sent in mission must be lean and without excess baggage. Why? Because there are many things to do in the Lord’s vineyard where “the harvest is abundant” (ho therismos polus). While we need to pray for more laborers, we also need to check on our loads. The lighter we travel, the more we can be of service to others. St. Luke used his God-given talents in the service of the early Church. He heeded well Jesus’ instruction of carrying only what is necessary in the mission, making him one of the most prolific apostolic men.
Are we willing to give up our unnecessary loads, such as our negative emotions? Do we use our talents for the service of others? Have we truly grown in terms of our sense of mission?
Gospel • Lk 10:1-9
The Lord Jesus 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 payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8Whatever 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.’ ”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
Today’s Gospel tells of the mission of the 72 other disciples. Jesus gives them instructions as he sends them in pairs. One of the instructions is to carry neither money bag nor sack nor sandals. He further instructs them not to greet anybody along the way. What do these instructions mean? These imply that those who are sent in mission must be lean and without excess baggage. Why? Because there are many things to do in the Lord’s vineyard where “the harvest is abundant” (ho therismos polus). While we need to pray for more laborers, we also need to check on our loads. The lighter we travel, the more we can be of service to others. St. Luke used his God-given talents in the service of the early Church. He heeded well Jesus’ instruction of carrying only what is necessary in the mission, making him one of the most prolific apostolic men.
Are we willing to give up our unnecessary loads, such as our negative emotions? Do we use our talents for the service of others? Have we truly grown in terms of our sense of mission?
Gospel • Lk 10:1-9
The Lord Jesus 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 payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8Whatever 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.’ ”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.