Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 10:1-12
I’m sure there are a few reasons why St. Luke tells us about Jesus sending out the seventy-two disciples. We can’t know for certain, but my guess is that one reason has to do with how we see ourselves in the gospel. When we think back to the Apostles being sent out, we might have trouble putting ourselves in their place; they may come across to us more like clergy. Not so with these disciples; they seem much more like the average, everyday follower of Jesus. Given that, I also think Luke wants us to remember some important things about what it means to be “sent out.” Here are a few of them.
- We go “ahead,” not “instead.” First, Luke tells us that Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him… to every town and place he intended to visit (10:1). Note: Ahead of him, not instead of him. Jesus was still going to these places; the disciples were to prepare the way. It’s the same for us. In his infinite love, Jesus comes in his own way to every person. Some he may come to on his own; others, he wants us to lead the way. That’s evangelization, or, as Cardinal Francis George once said, introducing people to Jesus and letting him take over from there. But the point is, one way or another, he takes over for us.
- Ask God, but be prepared for the answer. Next, Jesus says, Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest, and follows that immediately with, Go on your way (10:2-3). Did he just tell them to pray for laborers, then send them as laborers? Yes! That may seem strange, but it’s happened to me. I see a need, talk to the pastor or vicar about it, and next thing I know, I’ve been appointed to fill it. The lesson? Sometimes, we are the answer to our own prayers.
- Can’t this be easy? Then comes the warning: Behold, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves (10:3). Jesus knew that not everyone was going to be open to him. They still aren’t. The modern world is full of people not only disinterested in Christ, but even hostile toward him. Trying to live his values in such a climate, we can get discouraged by the rejection or lack of results. Take heart, and keep trying. Remember that our task is to sow the seeds of faith; God controls their growth (Mark 4:26-29).
- I feel alone. Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs; they didn’t “go it alone.” Neither do we. You may not see anyone next to you, but Jesus told us he is always with us (Matthew 28:20), as are the Father and the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-30). So, even if we seem to fail, even if we suffer because we try to live the gospel, God is there through it all. And remember what else he said: Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12). Whatever we do, if we do it in his name, our effort is never unrewarded.
A final note: We might think being sent out is only for some people. Wrong. All of us are sent. Luke’s gospel, and all the gospels, are full of examples of Jesus showing us how to live among people, what to do and not do, and how to love as he loves. He also tells us that we are going to be judged on how we did it. Does that mean we have to go knock on doors, walk the streets wearing “I love Jesus” shirts, and pressure people to believe what we do? Of course not. But it does mean that we are sent to help people see that Jesus is knocking on the door of their heart, to speak such that every word tells the world we love him, to do little things with great love, and above all, to be unafraid to live as he lived, so that when we die, we can hear Jesus say, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant… Come, share your master’s joy’ (Matthew 25:23).
—
Mark 10:45 