to overcome all the power of the Enemy, so that nothing will harm you.
Nevertheless, don’t rejoice because the evil spirits submit to you; rejoice,
rather, that your names are written in heaven.”
At that time, Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and said,
“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and made them known to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. I have been given all things by my Father,
so that no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son,
and he to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said to them privately,
“Fortunate are you to see what you see, for I tell you,
that many prophets and kings would have liked to see what you see,
but did not see it; and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.
REFLECTION:
The labors of the missionary are many, often difficult, sometimes unrewarding,
always demanding. The devious angel of darkness, the devil,
strives always to waylay the unwary missionary.
The devil can give false consolations to the weary missionary.
The 72 disciples in today’s Gospel were being tempted to find joy in their “victories” in their brief mission.
Jesus quickly cautions them and puts his new missionaries into the proper missionary spirit.
The true joy of the missionary is not in becoming “successful” but in being “faithful.”
It is easy to be lured into becoming proud in the ministry as a result of accomplishments.
The fallen angel can lead seemingly successful missionaries into the sin of pride.
Jesus reminds his new missionaries that true joy is in resting in intimacy with the One who sends,
the Master. True joy in the mission is about growth in personal communion
with Jesus who reveals the mysteries of the kingdom to his faithful missionaries.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020