Becoming A Disciple Of Jesus
Trusting In Divine Providence

Homily 07 07 2013
14th Sunday OT - C

View the Readings for this day

Experienced Travelers about to embark on a trip prepare by consulting experts and get a lot of information from travel guides and maps.

It's good to check out the weather, temperatures and rainfalls, transportation, calendars of special events, money exchange rates, museums, markets and to check on a lot of other things for a worry free journey.

When we look at today's Gospel, Luke has featured Jesus detailing a list of travel tips and information of a very different sort; while this advice may not compare to guides today, it is nevertheless valuable and necessary for every would-be-disciple.

Jesus sends his disciples out in view of a harvest, to reap and collect, to bring together and to gather.

The Scriptures seem to boldly encourage us to look beyond the immediate, to be more concerned about how we are missionary, how the parish is doing outreach. It is really living out the Mission Statement that is an integral part of this parish.

Jesus thought it was important to offer his followers some guidelines so that their efforts at ministry would be unencumbered.

So, rather than planning ahead for every eventuality, the disciples were to rely on the hospitality of those among whom they were called to serve. Rather than pack for every need or desire, they were to travel lightly.

So instead of plotting an itinerary that includes all that we will do in the next year or the next six-years together, we too will mostly center on where the needs of the parish and ministry dictate.

Like the disciples of Jesus, let us find our center around him and form community here with other followers and like the disciples we are all called to be servants, attentive to the needs of all who seek healing, peace, and the good news of salvation.

It seems that Paul must have traveled at least 15,000 miles. That seems like a lot for those days but in "frequent flier miles" it wouldn't compare.

In the end Paul boasted that one be created anew by the peace and mercy of Christ was what was important.

Isaiah in the first reading envisioned the peace and mercy of God extending from Jerusalem to all the nations of the earth.

Each of us is charged with the mission of peace and unity. To that end, each of us is called to heed Jesus' advice and to conduct ourselves as savvy travelers in his name.

The gospel gives vision for us as a parish. I cannot do all the ministry so I too seek out the Symbolic 72 disciples for assistance in the parish and with ministry, and they too will share in Jesus' own ministry to establish the kingdom that the Word of God might triumph in our midst .

Jesus made harsh words against people who closed their ears and hearts to the news of God's reign and made comparisons for the obstinate cites of Galilee where he met hostility and rejection, yet the Word bloomed in the people.

Like the 72 disciples, we too are being sent on Mission by Jesus from this parish community and where each of us lives. Many of you will discern more active ministries in upcoming months and for many you are called to quiet witness within your families and community, yet the message is the same for all of us: Shout joyfully to God, all you on earth. Come and see the works of God, the reign of God is at hand.

Jesus noted that the harvest is rich, ripe and ready. The plants in the fields, the ears in the wheat, the corn on the cobs, the potatoes in the ground, the grapes shining in the sun, the oranges on the trees, the bananas between their leaves...they are all ready to be collected, but the laborers are few.

According to Jesus, this means that within all cultures, movements and developments have taken place that make us hungry and thirsty for that meal we will share together with God who wants to comfort her children.

We are being sent out in the same way, and that's why all of us should be gatherers and peacemakers. I am actually amazed at all of you who really are laborers in so many different ways.

jjl

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