Proper 9 Yr C
As a mother comforts

Introduction

Before taking on Luke's gospel for this week, I urge you to re-read the letter to the Galatians with a very contemporary eye. When I read this, I have a new perspective on Paul. In years past, I have felt Paul to be too "preachy", too "persnickety", and beyond doubt too "male." But I chuckle when I read this passage. He begins by saying, IF you have received the Spirit, don't let anyone else chastise you for anything. Paul goes further to add that when someone wags a finger in your direction, they are actually revealing what they themselves are like; not you! And Paul continues. You do what you are supposed to do and rest assured in your behaviors; don't let others' mocking you or trying to shame you lead you into sadness. Then the passage says "See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand!" Isn't that the same as typing in all capitals? In other words, shouting. Paul's conclusion here is that those who are wagging their fingers at you want others to see how much better they are than you.  

So exactly what is it you're supposed to be doing? Well, some of that comes from the gospel for today. As Jesus send out the "seventy", Jesus recognizes the reality of the world he's sending them into. Yet he tells them to act in his (Jesus') name: to bless the house they enter; to eat with the household; to accept that some folks don't want anything to do with them—to heal and make the world a better place IN JESUS' NAME. Did you notice how happy the seventy were with their successes? Their successes no doubt carried them through the difficult times they faced. And what is Jesus' charge to us? Basically the same thing: be in the world, bless each house that we enter, have fellowship with others, rejoice with others, recognize that not everybody wants to be part of us.

St. Teresa of Avila’s well-known verses remind us how we carry on the ministry that Jesus gave us:

"Christ has no body on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ looks out to the world.
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about doing good.
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless others now."

Not all carry out the ministry the same way. How are you carrying out the ministry Jesus gave you? When do you feel you have truly accomplished your part of His work? Comments welcome.

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “. . . I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. . . . But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’

. . . The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

From sermon4kids.com: “Jesus sent out workers to tell others about God. . . . When they came back, they were overjoyed by the great success of their mission saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Jesus answered, “. . . do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” ”