Gospel
From the Gospel according to Luke. Lk. 10:1-9
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples 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 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.'”
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 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.'”
We have everything we need. God alone is enough.
The Lord tells us, “set out on the journey.” He always takes the initiative through a catechesis, a retreat, a conversation with a married couple… we receive the Truth, His merciful love, and then He tells us again, “set out on the journey.” Stop moving in circles, don’t get stuck in doubts or mediocrity. Start walking toward the One who is Truth and Love. He also tells us He is sending us out “like lambs among wolves.” In that call to go forth, He is telling us to prepare our hearts, to be strengthened through prayer, to live in communion in marriage by persevering in self-giving with humility, and receiving one another with love, because when we live this way, we allow the Lord to dwell in our hearts, so that it is He who leads us in mission, and not our own ego. The Lord tells us, “carry no purse, no bag, no sandals,” meaning: trust in Him and in His providence, free from worldly attachments, so that our decisions are not driven more by money, material goods, or security than by being in communion with Him. Then He says, “greet no one on the road,” which means: do not get distracted, even by seemingly good reasons that might be excuses for not doing God’s will. The Lord is in a hurry. He tells us, “the harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Let us be constant in prayer so that God may bring more workers to His harvest.
Applied to married life:
Paul: Mom, sometimes I feel weird around my friends… Like I don’t fit in. They make fun of me or look at me differently because I don’t talk like they do or do the things they do.
Maria: I understand, son… and it hurts me to see you like this. But you know what? Jesus already knew this could happen to us. That’s why He said He was sending us out like lambs among wolves.
Paul What does that mean, Mom?
Maria: Sweetheart, it means that sometimes, when you follow Jesus, you’re going to feel different… but you’re not alone. Being a lamb doesn’t mean being weak. It means being strong while still being good, and you’re being very brave. Dad and I have often felt the same way, but our trust in the Lord has made us stronger.
Paul: But sometimes I get tired, Mom…
Maria: I know, love. But every time you choose to do what’s right, even if no one applauds you, you’re being a light to everyone around you. And that, even if you can’t see it now, can touch many hearts. Jesus is very proud of you and so are we.
Mother,
Thank you for calling us to live like You. Even when we are not understood, give us love, meekness, and strength to be Your witnesses in our family. Blessed and praised be the Lord forever.