Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
Today's gospel concerns Jesus' rather specific instructions to his disciples as he sent them "ahead of him." Saint Luke describes a carefully planned campaign. His disciples would enter the villages to announce his coming even as more and more people followed him toward Jerusalem. We can imagine Jerusalem's fear of the approaching mob. The city was familiar with caravans of religious pilgrims, well-organized and able to pay their way. What would Jesus' crowd be like? The city was less prepared for a messianic pretender and his enthusiasts.
We remember what happened. After the mob had arrived, spent their resources, and returned to their villages, Jerusalem's leaders arranged for his evening arrest, midnight trial, and immediate execution.
Luke's gospel also reflects the years that had passed since Jesus died and rose. The Church's missionaries operated in the same spirit of Jesus' original directives. They carried little baggage as they moved from town to town. They relied on the generosity of Jews who provided room and board and whatever else they needed. Saint Paul, for instance, needed serious medical care while among the Galatians, and protection against violent enemies more than once.
The missionaries should travel light. That seems to be their most important characteristic; it reflects their Gospel which insists that we rely on God.
Evangelists who accumulate more than they need sabotage their own mission and scandalize the faithful. Their message may be charming and their style, fascinating; but they will not communicate the Lord who was born in poverty and died on a cross. They will attract people, of course. Talented, energetic, charismatic sorts always generate interest. But their congregations will be sterile; they will lack the Spirit of Christ which sets foundations and builds churches on the solid rock of faith. America today is teeming with gospels of prosperity and doomed congregations. Their spiritual message is enervated by the weakness of the flesh.
Living a simple lifestyle, as any Franciscan can tell you, is not as simple as it seems. We are daily challenged by fears of not having enough, of needing something else, of being unprepared. Empty space becomes storage space, filled with stuff, which more often than not becomes superfluous stuff. How many tee shirts does one person need? How many shoes? How many cars?
The missionaries should travel light. That seems to be their most important characteristic; it reflects their Gospel which insists that we rely on God.
Evangelists who accumulate more than they need sabotage their own mission and scandalize the faithful. Their message may be charming and their style, fascinating; but they will not communicate the Lord who was born in poverty and died on a cross. They will attract people, of course. Talented, energetic, charismatic sorts always generate interest. But their congregations will be sterile; they will lack the Spirit of Christ which sets foundations and builds churches on the solid rock of faith. America today is teeming with gospels of prosperity and doomed congregations. Their spiritual message is enervated by the weakness of the flesh.
Living a simple lifestyle, as any Franciscan can tell you, is not as simple as it seems. We are daily challenged by fears of not having enough, of needing something else, of being unprepared. Empty space becomes storage space, filled with stuff, which more often than not becomes superfluous stuff. How many tee shirts does one person need? How many shoes? How many cars?
Some people suffer the mental illness of hoarding but they only represent an extreme that is endemic to all of us. How much security do we need? Is enough ever enough? When is enough too much?
The Christian should notice when enough sabotages our message. If people laugh behind our backs as we talk about Jesus, we can suspect our message has been compromised by something. It may well be the extravagance of our lifestyle, and the paucity of our spiritual life.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.