14 Sunday of the Year C
Is 16:10-14c; Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10:11-12, 17-20
Introduction: This is a homily/Scripture reflection in a book, titled: ‘Every Week God Speaks We Respond’, Cycle B, intended to be published in the future by Reverend John Tran Binh Trong.
It was published in Vietnamese in the US 2008 and republished in Viet Nam 2011. To keep the author’s writing style, this homily has not been edited and may not be by a hired hand. However, if readers would like to point out mistake(s) in spelling and grammar and/or to suggest English phrases and expressions, it would be greatly appreciated by the author, whose English is not his mother tongue and who did not live in the US until his adulthood. Passive sentences are used intentionally in this context as to avoid using the first personal pronoun ‘I’ when applicable. That might be associated with any idea of egotism, in accord with the French saying, known as: ‘Le moi est haissable’ (The ego is detestable).
A disciple is a student or a follower of a particular teacher to learn about a certain subject like religion, literature, martial exercises or a profession. In the Old Testament, those followers of the Jewish rabbi were called disciples. In the New Testament, those followers of Jesus’ teaching were also called disciples. The term disciple was mentioned 250 times [1] in the New Testament. Among the disciples of Jesus, there were twelve close followers called apostles (Mt 12:2-4; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:13-16; Acts 1:13).
The gospel of today tells us: Jesus appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit (Mk 10:1). He instructed them: Carry no moneybag, no sack, and no sandals and greet no one along the way (Mk 10:4). If we interpret Jesus’ instructions literally, then most of the modern missionaries are missing the point, because they might carry two or three suitcases of clothes and belongings, with money and even a visa or a master card.
Jesus’ instructions in today’s gospel are also different from the instructions recorded in the gospels of Matthew and Luke concerning missionaries’ belongings (Mt 10:5:15; Mk 6:8-12). The reason for the differences in carrying baggage may be due to the differences in the evangelist’s emphasis on different points in the teachings of Jesus. Thus, this evangelist might have emphasized this point. That evangelist might have done that point. This point tells us it is not necessary to interpret Jesus’ instructions literally. Therefore, we need scripture scholars to help us understand Jesus’ instructions on how to travel on missionary journeys. We also rely on the church to interpret the scripture because the Church was entrusted with the mission of safeguarding God’s word from being misinterpreted. Thus, details of what to bring for missionary journeys are not as important as the message of the Gospel.
What Jesus tells them is they are to bring basic things only. Basic things at that time in Palestine were different from basic things in our time of the modern world. In addition, basic things in rich countries are different from basic things in poor countries.
In a stricter sense of the word, the clergy are considered as the laborers, but in a broader sense of the word, every Christian must be a laborer of God's harvest. Through baptism, we are called to faith. Through confirmation, we are called to bear witness to the life of faith. The life of a Christian must be a reflection of faith and witness to his/her faith. Jesus’ word today tells us about the urgency of the apostolic work: The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for the harvest (Lk 10:2).
Since the Second Vatican Council, many Catholic men and women have been aware of their calling to do the lay apostolic work. Many Catholic men and women have been studying the Bible and religious subjects. They have been enriching their faith lives and spiritual values. Some of them are holding graduate degrees in theology and scripture, liturgy and spirituality. These academic degrees were used to reserve for priests only. Nowadays with the shortage of priests, the role of the laity is becoming more evident and important to spread the gospel message. Every Christian must proclaim the Gospel of salvation not only by words but also by actions, prayers and good examples.
A prayer for knowing how to do lay apostolic works:
Oh Jesus the High Priest!
Grant that we may be aware that through baptism
we are called to ‘share in the priestly, prophetic and royal office of Christ’ [2]
With the ordained ministers, we do apostolic works,
and offer to God the gift of thanks, sacrifice and atonement of sins
for ourselves and for the humankind. Amen.
John Tran Binh Trong
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[1]. McKinzie, J. L. Dictionary of the Bible. Milwalkee. The Bruce Publishing Company, 1965. p. 199.
[2]. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, # 2