First Reading - Isaiah 66:10-14
Second Reading - Galatians 6:14-18
Gospel - Luke 10:1-12,17-20
The first reading from Isaiah is a poetic and tender image of Jerusalem as a mother. The people are called to rejoice with her, to find comfort at her breasts, and to be nourished by her abundant consolations. Though originally directed to the Israelites returning from exile, the passage carries a universal invitation: God cares for His people with motherly affection, promising peace and prosperity to those who trust in Him. This comforting image reminds us that God’s mission is not a burden but a source of nourishment, joy, and strength.
In the second reading, Paul speaks of the cross of Christ as his only boast. In a world that often glories in success, power, or religious observance, Paul shifts the focus entirely to Christ crucified. He emphasizes that through the cross, the world has been crucified to him and he to the world. What truly matters is becoming a new creation. This radical transformation lies at the heart of Christian discipleship. The mission of the Church flows not from status or pride but from the humble power of the cross, which brings new life to all who believe.
The Gospel recounts the sending of the seventy-two disciples. Jesus sends them ahead, two by two, to prepare the way in towns He Himself would visit. His instructions are clear: go simply, travel lightly, and focus on the message—“The kingdom of God has come near.” They are to bring peace, heal the sick, and proclaim God’s reign. Later, when they return with joy, amazed that even demons submitted to them, Jesus re-centers their joy: “Do not rejoice because the spirits submit to you, but because your names are written in heaven.” Their mission was not about success but about communion with God and participation in His saving work.
Dear friends, today we are reminded that we too are called and sent by Jesus. Like the seventy-two, we are not meant to carry the burdens of mission alone. We go two by two, supported by the Christian community. We go not with heavy baggage, but with the essentials: faith, peace, and a heart open to serve. And we are not to measure our success by numbers or results but by our fidelity to the message and the joy that comes from being close to the Lord.
Let us then rejoice—not in what we do for God, but in what God does in and through us. Let us find our strength not in external recognition but in the assurance that our names are written in heaven. And may we go out, like the disciples, as messengers of peace, hope, and healing in a world longing for the nearness of God.
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