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Working in the Lord's Rich Harvest








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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