Jesus’ choosing of the seventytwo

TODAY is Sunday, the first for the month of July 2019 and the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time of the Catholic Church’s liturgical and sanctoral calendar.

This day’s Psalm is, “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.”

Today’s 1st Reading is from Isaiah 66:10-14c. It says:

“Rejoice for Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her. Be glad with her, rejoice with her, all you who were in grief over her, that you may suck of the milk from her comforting breasts, that you may drink deeply from the abundance of her glory.”

For this is what Yahweh says: I will send her peace, overflowing like a river, and the nations’ wealth, rushing like a torrent towards her.

And you will be nursed and carried in her arms and fondled upon her lap.

As a son comforted by his mother, so will I comfort you. At the sight of this, your heart will rejoice, like grass, your bones will flourish. For it shall be known that Yahweh’s hand is with his servant, but his fury is upon his enemy.

This Sunday’s 2nd Reading is from Galatians 6:14-18. It says:

For me, I do not wish to take pride in anything, except in the cross of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Through him, the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Let us no longer speak of the circumcised of non-Jews, but of a new creation. Let those who live according to this rule receive peace and mercy; they are the Israel of God! Let no one trouble me any longer; for my part, I bear in my body the marks of Jesus.

May the grace of Christ Jesus our Lord be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Today’s Gospel is from Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 (or Luke 10:1-9)

After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples, and sent them, two by two, ahead of him, to every town and place, where he himself has to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So you must ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest. Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Set off without purse or bag or sandals; and do not stop at the homes of those you know.

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.’

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.

The seventy-two disciples returned full of joy. They said, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we called on your name.” Then Jesus replied, “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.”

READ: The Prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s saving action as bringing peace and comfort. Saint Paul invites the people of Galatia to see their Christian community as a “new creation” in which peace and mercy are enjoyed by those who welcome the Good News. And Saint Luke tells of Jesus to have chosen seventy-two and sent them out.

REFLECT: Jesus inauguration of the reign of God cannot be contained. It needs to expand and reach as many people. Thus, Jesus, sending of the seventy-two is meant to extend his mission. His instructions were clear, and their preparation adequate as it is evident in the success of their activities. They are to bless by giving peace and to heal the sick. With these gestures, the kingdom of God is brought to the people. In the dynamics of calling and sending the origin of the mission/task/activity, how it will be carried out, the intention or purpose, and the recipient of the task, are clearly identified. When Christ calls and sends out, it is