Working in the Lord’s Rich Harvest
Luke 10: 1-12, 17 – 20
14th Sunday in Ordinary time
Introduction
Our reading today tells us how
the Lord sent his disciples two by two to proclaim the kingdom of God. This
reading contains theological insights and pastoral advice regarding the work of
spreading the good news.
The Gospel
In this
reading, we see the Lord appointing seventy-two disciples who are sent two by
two to every town and place where he himself would go. He tells them about the bountiful
harvest awaiting their missionary endeavor but acknowledges the lack of
laborers in the field. So he exhorts them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to
send more laborers.
Jesus then tells them about the
nature of their missionary activity, exhorting them to take courage as he is
sending them like lambs among wolves. The image of lambs among wolves is taken
from Isa 11:6. This passage uses the image of lambs living peacefully among
wolves; an imagery that speaks of a world where there are no more hostilities between
people but enduring peace instead.
Jesus also advises his disciples not
to bring any purse, bag or sandals and not to stop by the homes of those they knew. The
kingdom’s growth would not rely on any earthly power, wealth or influence but would
simply grow in time, humbly and inconspicuously.
Jesus then gives some practical
pastoral advice regarding their lodgings and provisions. He says: “ Whatever
house you enter, first bless them, saying, ‘ Peace to this house!’ If a friend
of peace lives there, the peace shall rest upon that person. But if not, the
blessing will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking at their
table, for the worker deserves to be paid. Do not move from house to house.
When they welcome you to any town, eat what they offer you. Heal the sick who
are there and say to them: The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’
Jesus also tells them what they
should do when they are not welcome or are rejected by people. To this Jesus
says: “ But in any town where you are not welcome, go to the market place and
proclaim: “ Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off and
leave with you. But know for a certainty that the kingdom of God has drawn near
to you.’ I tell you, that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom
than for this town.”
Lastly, as the seventy two
disciples returned full of joy, they narrated to the Lord how even the demons
obeyed them when they called out his name. To this Jesus said: “ I saw Satan
fall like lightning from heaven. You see, I have given you authority to trample
on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, so that
nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the evil spirits
submit to you; rejoice, rather, that your names are written in heaven.”
Reflection
In this reading by Luke, we see
how the disciples of Jesus were sent to minister to people and proclaim the
kingdom of God. Our Christian life is meant to be shared to all. The gospel
needs to be proclaimed. Here are some insights that we can glean from today’s
reading:
1.
The
disciples were sent as lambs among wolves. This was said by Jesus not to
scare his disciples. The allusion of lambs among wolves refer to Isa 11:6. The allusion refers to that time when one day,
hostilities on earth will cease and peace will become the norm. The nature of
Christian ministry is to bring reconciliation and ultimately peace. We are
peacemakers. We bring tidings and blessings of peace to all we work with, even to
those who may reject our message.
2.
The
disciples are not to worry about their provisions. The command to carry no
purse, no bag or sandal and not to stop by homes they were familiar with, tells
us that God himself will provide for the means to let the kingdom spread and
grow; that reliance on God who provides and who promises a laborer’s reward and
upkeep is crucial for one who is sent to further the kingdom. Rather than relying
on one’s own resources and means, the disciple must ultimately rely upon the
Lord’s providence for his basic needs. The slow, humble and insignificant advancement
of the kingdom through time really doesn’t demand much resources but a lot of
faith in the Lord who provides.
3.
Rejection
is to be expected. For anyone spreading
the good news, rejection will always be a familiar companion. During these
instances, the disciple is to shake off the dust from his feet as a gesture of
judgment to those who have refused God’s visitation. Shaking the dust also
serves as a way for every disciple to move on and to symbolically shake off
whatever psychological burdens the rejection may have caused him.
4.
The
work of the disciple is to restore the well being of people. The disciples
were to heal the sick, cast off demons, trample on snakes and scorpions to
overcome all the power of the enemy without fear of being harmed. The
disciples’ work is a work of healing. Healing also becomes the very sign of the
kingdom’s nearness; healing signals Satan’s defeat and is a sign that evil shall
one day submit itself to God’s kingdom.
5.
The
disciple’s reward is heaven. When the seventy-two returned to Jesus they
rejoiced at the power they had over demons who obeyed them. Jesus tempers this
joy and redirects it to something more sublime. Jesus tells them that there is
reason to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. A disciple need
not seek the praise of men; nor does he need people’s affirmation and
recognition of his achievements. One who labors in the Lord’s rich harvest has
all the reasons to be happy because he knows that his reward is safe and secure
in God who has promised heaven to all who have worked much for the kingdom of
heaven.
Prayer
Dear Lord, working with you in
your kingdom is an altogether different experience. There is a lot work in a
field that is rich in harvest. You ask me to be involved in spreading your
kingdom. To do that you ask me to be a man/woman of peace; an agent of peace who brings peace
to a broken and violent world. Teach me
to rely and trust in your providence. Let me be strong when rejected but always
happy and hopeful, knowing that my name will be written in heaven as I do my
work in your kingdom’s rich harvest. Amen.
“ Blessed is the man
who keeps on going when times are hard. After he has come through them, he will
receive a crown. The crown is life itself. God has promised it to those who
love him.” - James 1: 12
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