THE WORD
Neh 8: 1–4.5–6.7–12 / Lk 10: 1–12
Jesus appointed seventy (two) others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.’ Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”
IN OTHER WORDS
People today don’t carry a lot of cash anymore. They bring only credit cards or traveler’s cheques. They travel light. They stay in hotels in order not to disturb others. They eat in restaurants so as not to worry about cooking.
In spreading the Gospel of the kingdom Jesus suggested that the messenger carry no money or clothing. He assured that the messenger will be taken care of. He assured that the messenger will be offered bed and breakfast wherever he goes. He needs only to bring peace, healing and the assurance of the presence of God’s kingdom among people. He also suggested that the messenger should not be picky about food. For me, as a messenger of the Gospel, I need to be a man of peace. I need to believe in the power that is given to me by virtue of my priestly ordination. I need to be familiar with the Kingdom of God. I also need to have simple needs, or else I won’t be able to travel light and I won’t be able to sleep given simple accommodation; I won’t be able to eat what is served on the table.
On the other hand, as a receiver of God’s messengers, I need to be open to embrace the peace brought into my household or I will lose the blessings of peace, healing and redemption.
Both parties ought to have authenticity. I ought to be a sincere and true messenger of the Gospel. I must be a lamb, not a wolf. As a receiver, I ought to be sincere in my acceptance of the messenger and the message he/she brings into my household.
- Patricio R. delos Reyes Jr., SVD (LVD Tacloban)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
