14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14
Rejoice
with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; Exult,
exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may
suck fully of the milk of her comfort, That you may nurse with delight
at her abundant breasts! For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread
prosperity over her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an
overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and
fondled in her lap; As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort
you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort. When you see this, your
heart shall rejoice, and your bodies flourish like the grass; The LORD'S
power shall be known to his servants.
Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18
Brothers and sisters, may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I
to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does
uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who
follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make
troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:1-12,17-20
At that time 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.' Whatever town you enter and they do
not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town
that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know
this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more
tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town." The seventy-two
returned rejoicing, and said, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us
because of your name." Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like
lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power 'to tread
upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and
nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits
are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in
heaven."
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
Jesus
sent missionaries ahead of him. Their work was to prepare for the
coming of the Lord. They were asked not to carry anything for their way
and they were told not to wear sandals. The Jews entered the place of
worship without sandals and without bags and baggage. Jesus is asking
his missionaries to consider their mission of preparation as worship.
They were told not to greet anyone on the way. Prophet Elisha said to his disciple something similar in a life-saving mission ("Gird your loins," Elisha said to Gehazi, "take my staff with you and be off; if you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff upon the boy." -2 Kings 4:29). The disciples are supposed to consider their mission as life-saving mission. Jesus assured them that evil would not overpower them.
They were told not to greet anyone on the way. Prophet Elisha said to his disciple something similar in a life-saving mission ("Gird your loins," Elisha said to Gehazi, "take my staff with you and be off; if you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff upon the boy." -2 Kings 4:29). The disciples are supposed to consider their mission as life-saving mission. Jesus assured them that evil would not overpower them.
