Reflections on the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 7, 2019): IS 66:10-14; PS 66:1-3,4-5,6-7,16,20; GAL 6:14-18; LK 10:1-12,17-20
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
As Jesus sends the seventy-two disciples out to towns He plans to visit later, He wants them to understand the seriousness of what they are doing.
It will be important to the people they meet as well as to themselves. They also need to realize that their task may be dangerous. In fact, in the years to come a number of them will lay down their lives as they spread the message of Christ. And they are to depend on Him for everything, and to avoid wasting time on social niceties or on people who have no interest in Jesus. “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’” (Luke 10:8-9). Our Lord wants the disciples to offer His peace to all who are willing to accept it, for the peace of God is not a mere greeting but a gift to those open to Him.
The Son of God came into the world to save all of us. And it is up to those who generously share His word and to those who respond to it with faith, to build the kingdom of heaven. Only by trusting in our Redeemer can we serve Him as we help others to know and embrace His mercy. Whatever our calling in life, each follower of Christ has the opportunity and obligation to influence others through our conversation and example. This is a key part of the way we live out our belief in the loving Lord who died for us.