UPHOLDING THE MISSIONARY MANDATE OF THE LORD 

In the gospel this weekend, we read, ‘The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest………Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you…” (cf. Lk 10:1-12, 17-20). Missionaries announce the proximity of God’s kingdom to the people who receive them.

Beloved People of God, as the Lord appointed the seventy-two then, so he appoints us today. The spirit of our mission must be kept alive. It ought to be aglow. Only in this way are we able to speak like St Paul, ‘..far be it from me to boast accept in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world…’ (Gal 6:14-18). The Lord still needs human beings not angels, through whom He will accomplish all that He promises when he says, ‘I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you, and you shall be comforted…” (cf. Is 66:10-14c). We bring God’s peace to the nations as Missionaries.

Let us pray that we continue to bear fruit for the Lord. Fruitfulness is a must, to avoid being cut away and thrown into that fire that does not go out. We humbly ask that we be able to bring forth children for God’s kingdom through physical and or spiritual generation. As we all uphold the missionary mandate of our Blessed Lord, may we rejoice in this, ‘…that your names are written in heaven’ (cf Lk 10:18-20). 

Fr. Ted