Gospel
Luke 10:1-12
1 And after these things the Lord appointed also other seventy-two: and he sent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himself was to come. 2 And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest. 3 Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. 5 Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house.
6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. 7 And in the same house, remain, eating and drinking such things as they have: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Remove not from house to house. 8 And into what city soever you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them: The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10 But into whatsoever city you enter, and they receive you not, going forth into the streets thereof, say:
11 Even the very dust of your city that cleaveth to us, we wipe off against you. Yet know this, that the kingdom of God is at hand. 12 I say to you, it shall be more tolerable at that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Today's Gospel is very meaningful because it was a foreshadowing of the Church that would be established on Pentecost Sunday. It is important to note that our Lord gave His authority to 72 specific individuals whom He named Disciples. He did not say to the thousands following him at the time that they should go out and form churches/denominations as they saw fit. He did not give to them the Holy Spirit as a guide. He gave them specific instructions and duties under His authority.
On Pentecost Sunday the Holy Spirit would be given to the Holy Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary would be Mother to the Church just as she was to Jesus. The Apostles would rule the Church in the stead of Jesus. This, is the Kingdom of God on earth. It has God given authority and God chosen officers. It has rules and customs. It has citizenship and belonging. No one can enter the Kingdom unauthorized. No one can act as an officer of the Kingdom without being vested with the authority given by God.
Today, we rejoice in the beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth when our Lord appointed His first ministers. Today's other Mass Readings show how much the Kingdom was longed for by holy men before the coming of the Christ.
From Job,
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him,
And from my flesh I shall see God;
my inmost being is consumed with longing.
From Psalms:
I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD with courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
The Alleluia:
The Kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the Gospel.
What an incredible privilege and gift it is to be members of the kingdom of God in the land of the living! Every Confirmed Catholic is a citizen of this Kingdom and every Ordained Priest its minister. Every Catholic Church is an embassy of this Kingdom in foreign lands. Like with every embassy, the citizens of that nation may seek refuge in the embassy and its officers have a duty to advocate for its citizens. We are strangers in a foreign land, but we are citizens of the Kingdom of God!
Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings July-December, 2024 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3ZTXQB4
and
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic
Excellent explanation Judson, thank you
Yes, indeed!!!