In this Sunday’s Gospel we get a vivid account of the commissioning of the seventy-two followers of Jesus. St. Luke is the only Gospel writer who gives an account of this occurrence. In it, he outlines the specific nature of their mission and recounts the instructions Jesus provided to his disciples.
Emphasizing the urgency of the mission, Jesus likened the world to a harvest field, ripe and ready, while acknowledging the need for laborers to gather the harvest.
The disciples were told to go in pairs, underscoring the importance of mutual support in ministry. They were instructed to carry no purse, bag, or sandals which serves as a reminder to surrender completely to God’s providence. The first words the disciples were to offer upon entering a new home was a greeting of peace, echoing the reconciliation and restoration that the Gospel brings.
Strikingly, Jesus empowered the seventy-two to heal the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim the nearness of the reign of God as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, which not only announces the Kingdom but enacts it through signs and wonders. Yet, he also warned them of the possibility of rejection and judgment. Yet, even in the face of adversity, the disciples were to remain steadfast, shaking the dust off their feet and continuing on their way.
When the seventy-two returned, they did so with great joy, marveling at what had happened.
This Gospel passage resonates with the recent address of pope Leo to the members of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life when he reminded the gathered assembly that by virtue of our baptism, anointed with the Spirit at our confirmation and strengthened by the Eucharist, all of us are called to be missionaries of the Gospel.
Like the seventy-two, we are sent out into the world to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy. This call may take different forms—through acts of service, sharing the Word, or simply living out the Gospel in daily life—but it is always marked by the same urgency and purpose.
Like the seventy-two we are to put our trust in God in all circumstances. Just as they were asked to travel light, we are reminded to let go of all unnecessary concerns and distractions and give ourselves over to our mission. True discipleship often requires risks and the places we are to go and paths we are to walk are sometimes unclear and often unknown.
“Peace be with you’ were the first words spoken by Jesus to the apostles after the resurrection. They were the first words spoken by Pope Leo XIV after his election. They are the words Jesus instructed his disciples to offer when whenever they encounter new people. This message of peace is as relevant and needed today as it was then. In a world fraught with division and conflict, the Gospel offers reconciliation and hope. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, bringing His message of love to every corner of society.
And despite the foreseeable temptations and predictable challenges we are called to find joy in our mission. The disciples returned to Jesus rejoicing in what had happened. The joy they found in their mission serves as a reminder of the deep fulfillment found in serving God.
The sending of the seventy-two disciples is a powerful example of faith in action. It reveals the heart of Jesus’ mission and the transformative power of the Gospel. It is an important reminder of our call to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, in word and in deed and to trust in God’s providence along the way.
Like the seventy-two, we are sent out not because of our own strength but with the authority and assurance of Christ, knowing that the harvest is plentiful and the fulfillment of the promise is at hand.
Johan van Parys, PhD
Managing Director of Ministries/ Director of Liturgy & Sacred Arts