Jesus sends out 72 disciples, two by two, into towns and villages where he intends to go himself. And Jesus tells them something both sobering and empowering: “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” And then this cheerful advice: “Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” Let’s consider these words – it is not just about ancient times – 2,000 years ago – it is us, now. The harvest is still abundant. People are hungry for peace; they are hungry for meaning and belonging and truth. The fields are filled with lives waiting for hope. But so often, we think someone else is supposed to do the harvesting.
A few years ago, a priest in a small village noticed an older woman named Rose who always sat in the last pew. Every Sunday, like clockwork – she never missed. One day, after Mass, he asked her, “Rose, I see you are here every Sunday, But I have never seen you bring anyone with you.” She looked surprised and said, “Well, Father, I thought my job was to get myself to church, I didn’t think I had to bring someone with me.” The priest smiled and gently said, “Ah, but Jesus said we are sent ahead of Him – to prepare His way. You might be the only Gospel someone reads this week.” That is exactly the message of Luke 10 – the gospel today. You and I are not just passive churchgoers. We are sent people. Every baptized Christian is a missionary. We are sent into our families, workplaces, neighborhoods – to bring peace and healing and the presence of God. The mission field is not some far-off jungle. It is your living room, your break room, the local grocery store.
Notice what Jesus tells the disciples to say when they enter a home: “Peace to this household.” We are not sent to argue, to prove that we are right, or to be perfect. We are sent to bring peace.
We live in a world filled with anxiety, division, and loneliness. Our country is in turmoil and to be true to the Gospels is like being a lamb among wolves. Your kind word, your patient ear, your steady presence comes only from being grounded in the peace of Christ. We are not called to convert people with speeches. Jesus did not say, “Convince them.” He said, “Heal the sick, and say, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you.’ In other words, show up, love well, speak peace – and let God do the rest.
Jesus also tells them, “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals.” That is his way of saying: Do not rely on your stuff, your status, your skills, you do not need a theology degree, just carry peace into every place you go and rely on me – I go with you.
If we are honest, being a witness, a faithful disciple in today’s world can feel awkward. Sharing faith might feel intimidating. But the beauty is, as I said last week, God does not call the equipped – God equips the called – and you and I have been called. If you have ever smiled at a cashier having a bad day, made a meal for a grieving neighbor, comforted a friend in crisis or stood up for what is right and just – you have prepared the way for the Lord. You are one of the 72. God is sending you, this week, today – to someone who needs to know: “You are not alone – our God is with us – the kingdom of God is at hand.”