No ATM, No Fast Food, No Wal-Mart!

 

~~~ Nehemiah 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12 ~~~ Psalm 19 ~~~ Luke 10:1-12 ~~~

 

Have you ever considered how much courage

the first disciples had to muster up?

 

Jesus calls them together, pairs them up,

and sends them out to places they were unfamiliar with.

 

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

 

Hearing those words would have made me question whether

 or not I should be going anywhere.

Were they really like lambs? Lambs do not have the

reputation for being very bright.

Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.

 

They are to bring nothing with them. Jesus was asking them

to completely trust his guidance for this trip.

There was no ATM, no fast food, and no Wal-Mart along the way.

And to make matters worse they were not to stop

and socialize with anyone along the way.

Their directive was to go directly

to the destination he had chosen for both of them.

 

Maybe they did not even get to chose their own partner.

Jesus wanted them to follow his example.

 

If you are doing the work of the Lord

 then you must believe that he will give you all that you need.

 

 

I have written on the gospel previously, but today

as I read I notice something new.

 

Each pair was to bring a priceless gift.

‘Peace to this household.’

 

They were to bring peace to each household.

Today, peace is not something we can take for granted.

For many people peace is not a reality.

 

Those disciples that went ahead of Jesus carried with them his peace.

Only his peace can be shared so freely.

Whatever you  extend out to others will be returned to you in kind.

 

They gave peace to the people and the people housed and fed them.

They sat at the table together and the visitors shared the message from Jesus.

‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’

 

The message was clear, to the point, and delivered

in the cup of peace.

Those who were attuned to the grace of peace

 were able to receive the message.

If you are in the fight you are hardly in a position

 to hear the echoes of peace.

 

Today is holy to the LORD your God.

 

It is the day peace came to dwell at the table of strangers.

Peace brings peoples together, you do not need gourmet food,

flashy coins, or fancy sandals for your feet.

 

Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!

 

Blessings come from carrying his peace with you.

You are also sent out to bring his peace to others...how he does trust you. 

The Numbers Increase

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

~~Isaiah 66:10-14c~~Psalm 66~~Galatians 6:14-18 ~~Luke 10:1-12, 17-20~~

 

'The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest...'

 

We typically see this verse used in reference to a plea for more vocations

 to the priesthood and religious life.

However, we too are the laborers in the vineyard.

We are being urged to go out into the field;

we too can share in the harvest.

There is only one harvest necessary to be reaped,

one that spreads the gospel of love.

 

Recently I played a game where you must match

the puzzle pieces with the model.

If you try to use the wrong piece

it is rejected and sent to the bottom on the screen.

 

Jesus is sending out his seventy-two on a pilgrimage of peace.

 

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.

 

When people of peace come together 'puzzle' pieces match.

The peace remains with both persons...

the visitor and the residents.

 

 

Evangelization is growing...Jesus is planting his seeds...

his teachings are being spread by others.

 

‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’

 

There is no time to waste.

If you reach out to someone and they reject your offer; move on.

Leave the area behind, hold on to nothing.

Give credit to God for the good which you are able to accomplish in the field.

 

Finally there is one reason to remain joyful.

 

'...rejoice because your names are written in heaven.'

 

If you answer the call of the Lord to go out into the field and harvest

 your name is recorded by the Lord.

On a lighter side what fun it would be to actually see your name

written above in the blue sky. 

How great the blessings for those whose names have been recorded by God in heaven. 

 Go out to all of the world and spread the good news!