?the laborers are few? ? Luke 10:2

It was graduation day. All the students were fussing over the seating arrangements and I, as their teacher, supervised them. When everyone had settled down, found myself standing next to the Valedictorian. I asked him, ?So, you madeit all the way to the end and all the way to the top! What was your motivation??
      ?Sir, I want to have a good life, someday. I want to give my family everything they need in life,? he exclaimed.
      I smiled. This boy had a good heart? and he loved his family dearly.
      I couldn?t help hoping, though, that as he matured, the love in his heart would also grow bigger. I prayed that he too would one day see that aside from himself and his family, other people also deserved to get everything they needed in life. With his talents and skills, he could be a very effective ?laborer in the Lord?s vineyard.?
      Jesus? heart was very big. He was moved by the sight of a large crowd hungry for physical, emotional and psychological nourishment. And so He acted? He gave them everything they needed. And He was able to because He raised His eyes high enough to see beyond Himself. And He raised His eyes even higher to know Who would provide.
      I am inspired by this. I hope you are, too. Mike M.

REFLECTION:
?I? becomes meaningful in the presence of ?others.?

Lord, give me strength to go out of myself for the sake of others.

G O S P E L

Luke 10:1-12

It is not for us to condemn those who fail to respond to the Gospel. In John?s Gospel we are told they will condemn themselves by their own deeds and words. It is our duty to make sure that we proclaim the Gospel in the first place and thus give people the opportunity to respond to the Good News. We should not give up on a person responding in faith even if their first response is negative; at the same time, we should not nag them with the Good News. Ultimately, it is up to the Holy Spirit to dispose their hearts towards the Gospel of salvation.

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 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. 3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no Money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. 5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ?Peace to this household.? 6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. 8 Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, 9 cure the sick in it and say to them, ?The kingdom of God is at hand for you.? 10 Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ?The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.? Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand. 12 I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.

my reflections
think: It is not for us to condemn those who fail to respond to the Gospel.

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God?s special verse/thought for me today________________

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T O D A Y ? S BLESSING LIST

Thank You Lord for: ____________________________________

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READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1Maccabees 10-13

?The reign of God is at hand? ? the very message announced by the 72 disciples is itself already the reality being proclaimed just by their appointment and commission by Jesus. It is a message which is certainly not an empty statement. It has its power and effectiveness. Refusal to welcome God?s Kingdom will have its consequences, and the 72 are even to dramatize it with a concrete and eloquent gesture of shaking the dust off their feet.
      Because of such a potent proclamation and mission, no material things should get in the way. In this mission, peace is more important than any possessions; and, attitudes of welcome and hospitality are wonderful enhancements.
      In the meantime, Jesus seemed to be overly concerned with trivial matters, with all his detailed instructions concerning what to bring, where to stay and what to do. But certainly this is not the case. He is simply empowering his disciples with the strength which comes from the harvest master. They are, after all, among the very few workers faced with an enormous harvest; and they are sent as ?lambs in the midst of wolves.?
      Indeed the whole thing can be tough and even discouraging. But we, too, now go in this mission empowered and commissioned, confident that everything will be provided for and that behind us is no less than Jesus Himself. Fr. Martin M.

REFLECTION QUESTION:
What is my mission statement? Am I taking steps to fullfill it?

The strength I need comes from You, Lord. May I always remember to call on You.

St. Maria Faustina Kowalaska, virgin, visionary, pray for us.