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.’"

Seventy is a symbolic number, representing the sum or fullness of entities. In Genesis 10, the so-called "table of nations" lists 70 nations of the world, and Abraham emerges from these nations as the head of a new people of God’s choosing (Gn 12). Abraham, in turn, through Jacob, becomes a family of 70 that goes down to Egypt (Gn 46:27). The 70 of Jacob become a multitude in Egypt but they are represented by the 70 elders of Israel (Ex 24:1). In later Judaism, the 70 elders of ancient Israel form the basis for the 70 elders who traditionally make up the Jewish council called the Sanhedrin.

Luke presents the unique account of Jesus appointing 70 (some texts read 72) disciples who, in addition to the Twelve (apostles), are sent on a mission. Perhaps the number corresponds to the 70 nations of the world and suggests an incipient universal mission to the Gentiles initiated by Jesus.

The reading is chosen for the feast of the evangelist Luke who is credited to have written the Third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. He is probably a Syrian convert from Antioch mentioned in the New Testament especially as a companion and a collaborator of Paul (Col 4:14; Phlm 24; 2 Tm 4:11). The prologue of the Gospel makes it clear that the evangelist is not part of the first generation of disciples but is dependent upon the traditions he received from the eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (Lk 1:2). For his sources, he depends upon the Gospel of Mark, from the Quelle ("Source") which he shares with Matthew, and from his own special materials. Luke addresses his Gospel to his community composed mostly of Gentile converts.

The growth and spread of the Christian faith are not only owed to the pillars (the twelve apostles) but also to the 70 disciples of whom Luke is a worthy representative.

SOURCE: "365 Days with the Lord," ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.