14^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

 

I Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14: Towards her I send flowing peace, like a river.

II Reading: Galatians 6:14-18: The marks on my body are those of the Lord Jesus.

Gospel: Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20: Your peace will rest on that man.

The Seventy-two Sent Forth: Great Purpose, 10:1-16

Jesus appoints the seventy-two others and sends them forth for his mission in pairs. This passage tells the Christian labourer how he is to work and tells the hearer how he is to treat the labourer of God. Paul explains to us what it really means to be a Christ means to have become an altogether new creature, on account of the Life in the Spirit given to us at Baptism. It also means to belong to Christ and finally, Paul wishes “peace and mercy to all who follow the rule”, that is, to all who keep faithful to Christ (Gal 6:16).

Jesus sent seventy-two disciples to announce the kingdom of God who represents all nations or 72 tribes or clans of the earth (Gen 10), all the baptised, each one of us included. In contrast, the twelve apostles whom Jesus sent first, represent not only the apostles but their successors as well: the Pope, the bishops and priests, all those special messengers chosen by God. Number 12, (the number of apostles) stands in the mind of Luke for the 12 tribes of Israel, who in God’s plan, were to be evangelized first.

1. Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples to prepare the way for Him (v.1)

a. had many disciples

b. two by two: to support, encouragement and community life during difficult times

c. saw a tremendous need

d. sent as forerunners

2. First, pray for more labourers (v.2)

3. Second, go into an antagonistic world (v.3)

4. Third, trust God and sense the hour’s urgency (v.4)

5. Fourth, guard the message-do not force it upon people (v.5-6)

6. Fifth, accept compensation but do not seek luxury (v.7)

7. Sixth, be accommodating and adaptable (v.8-9)

a. identify with people

b. minister to people

c. proclaim the kingdom of God

8. Seventh, walk away from rejecters (v.10-15)

a. any town and people who reject

  1) symbolise God’s rejection by wiping off the very dust of the city

  2) reason: the kingdom of God came near, but they rejected it

  3) judgement: shall be greater than Sodom’s

b. any who only profess to be God’s people

  1) illustrated by two Jewish towns

  2) the reason: the works of Christ were seen, yet he was rejected

  3) the judgement: to be more terrible

c. any who have a constant witness but rejects: to receive the greatest judgement-hell

9. Eighth, , know that the Christian labourer presents the Lord (v.16)

Thought: Anyone who rejects the Lord definitely will be condemned.

 

The Seventy-two Return: Great Power, Lk 10:17-20

Jesus Christ gives great power to the person who truly works for him.

1. The Seventy-two returned (v.17)

a. with joy

b. with great results and testimony of power

2. The Christian labourer has power over Satan (v.18)

3. The Christian labourer has overall power enemies: perfect security (v.19)

4. The Christian labourer is to rejoice in his salvation, not in his power (v.20)

The Seventy-two Return: Great Privileges, Lk 10:21-24

The Christian labourer has three great privileges. Jesus was filled with joy over these privileges and praised God. The Lord’s heart longs to share these privileges with every person.

1. Jesus rejoiced (v.21)

2. privilege 1: The spiritual insight into truth (v.21)

a. into “these things”

b. God hides the truth from the wise and learned

c. God reveals the truth to babes

d. such action is well-pleasing to God

3. Privilege 2: The knowledge of God and of His only Son (v.22)

a. God and the Son alone know one another

b. The Son reveals God to some

4. Privilege 3: The insight and privilege of learning God’s full revelation (v.23-24).

Thought: God’s power is defeating Satan, delivering people from the power of Satan.

To be a Christian means to give oneself to Christ wholeheartedly.

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