Word to the Wise
Sunday, July 3, 2022 - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Isa 66:10-14c; Gal 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20]At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others 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." [Luke]
The scene in today's gospel scripture is a critical moment. Jesus has prepared a larger group of disciples than the twelve original apostles. It's time for them to undertake the task of preaching the gospel. The evangelist Luke wrote for a missionary church and to inspire others to undertake the task of evangelization. By the time Luke wrote (between 80 and 90 AD), the faith had spread beyond the boundaries of Palestine. Saints Peter and Paul were already deceased! The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Romans (70 AD). Persecution of Christians by Roman and Jewish authorities was a constant threat. The danger of Christianity becoming simply a sect of Judaism was past. But the danger of becoming just one cult among many was also real. Fear of persecution can cause a group to huddle together like the apostles did between Jesus' death and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Luke cites the example of Jesus sending out disciples like "lambs among wolves!"
One of the pivotal moments in the history of the Dominican Order to which I belong was St. Dominic's decision to divide his small group of friars and send them to the principal university cities in Europe: Paris and Bologna. His followers thought he was unwise to do that. He replied, "Grain hoarded rots. When it is spread and planted, it bears fruit."
Pope Francis has challenged all baptized members of the Church to become "missionary disciples." The task cannot be left to the ordained sacramental ministers. In the diocese of Lubbock, TX, where I live, there are 40+ priests for 60+ parishes! Our faith is not meant to be "hoarded" but shared. We are offering not just a ritual Church but the gospel of God's love for humanity and plan of salvation. There are plenty of "wolves" to battle, but Jesus gives the disciples the charge to let their lives reflect the gospel they are to preach before they even say a word.
Several students from our Catholic student center here at Texas Tech are about to give at least 2 years of their life to evangelize on other campuses. I am reminded of the young Mormon missionaries to be seen across the country. This example can inspire some of us who are older to at least reach out in our own communities to invite others to the faith. The efforts to attract "vocations" should not be limited to sacramental ministry but to the broadscale preaching of the gospel. AMEN