PEACE COMES FROM THE POWER TO FORGIVE AND LOVE.
In today’s Gospel, (Lk 10:1-12&17-20), seventy two disciples were appointed by Jesus, and sent out in pairs, to evangelise the Good News of resurrection and faith. The figure of 72 refers to the amount of nations descended from Noah. We are the new disciples in today’s world/nation, with the same responsibility, to go out and promote the Church, for the salvation of souls, ahead of the Second Coming of Jesus. There is a symbolism why Jesus sent them out two by two, because He is reminding us that the principle rule of charity is twofold: to practice love and mercy. He instructs them to salute no one on the way. This is warning for us not to get distracted from our vocation. It is our mission to help people live the Gospel of Truth, in order to fulfil our vocation in life. It is not just the Priest’s or Religious responsibility to speak about religion. Every Christian is expected by God to partake in the building of His Kingdom here on earth. We all have to partake in bringing redemption to the world, if we expect to get into heaven ourselves. The Church exists not to condemn us (Jn 3:17), but to save us from being captured by the devil’s eternal grip. In the first reading (Is 66:10-14) the mention of Jerusalem is an early indication of the coming of Mother Church, whose appointed role is to care and raise us up like a mother suckling her children.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I LOVE YOU
To be a labourer (Christian) in the harvest (world) is to experience an inner Peace that only Jesus Christ can give us. It is a spiritual Peace that we are called to rest it upon each other. This divine peace lasts beyond the grave enabling the soul to rest in eternal peace in heaven. Jesus says to carry no purse, no haversack or sandals. This means that we are to empty our hearts of fear and anxiety, and to trust in Jesus to provide everything we need for this journey of faith and evangelisation. We are to fill the purse of our hearts with His love, grace and divine will. He will act as the sandal, bringing and guiding us on our missionary way. For those people who reject the Word of God, Jesus says to shake the dust from our feet, in their presence. This is to remind the unbeliever and unfaithful, that it was dust that they came from, and it will be eternal dust that they will return to, with no hope of eternal life in heaven unless they repent for their sins. It is the Holy Spirit who gives life to our dead bodies through resurrection. To reject Jesus is to reject heaven. For our names to be written in heaven will be the reward awaiting the faithful labourers beyond this passing world. We are told that at the powerful and holy name of Jesus many devils fell like lightening. To misuse the holy name of Jesus in vain is a serious mortal sin. A good place to start as a harvester for Christ is in the home and work-place, by practicing the virtues of patience, peace, understanding, love, forgiveness, humility, self-control, kindness and charity, to those we live and work with it. We must live the faith. Jesus teaches that we are to be merciful, just as our Father is merciful. We are not to judge each other, and we will not be judged. We are not to condemn, and we will not be condemned. Forgive, and we will be forgiven. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into our lap because the measure we give will be the exact measure we get back (Lk 6:36-38) on the day of Judgement. Life is a test. Let us replace the rough and dirty garment of sin with the clean garment of holiness. God bless, Fr. Brendan.