Thoughts for the Day

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Thoughts

In 1969 my husband and I returned from three years in Cyprus. It was a hot August day and we had to cross London via the underground. It was a nightmare. We had many cases and kit bags, full of things we had brought back, including seven small carved wooden round tables, from a minute one to a very large one. They did come apart but even so were heavy. We had to "frog-leap" up escalators and across concourses, with one of us taking two or three bags 100 yards or so and leaving them where we could see them, while going back for the others.

After 50 odd years I have finally disposed of all but the last one of the tables, as well as getting rid of most of my other possessions, that had become quite frankly, clutter. With the death of parents and family members we can end up being the recipients of an awful lot of household goods and momentos.

Today's reading about the 72 disciples only occurs in Luke's gospel. They will not have been with Jesus for long, but nevertheless as a disciple of Jesus they are also apostles, that is "one who is sent" or "commissioned." In this case they are sent to prepare the way for Jesus by carrying a message of peace. We too are disciples and we should notice Jesus' words. He commands his followers to travel lightly. As a disciples of Jesus Christ we only need essentials for our life. We just need to get on with God's work, and not be cluttered with the things of this world! After all how many teapots and tables do we really need?

Lord Jesus Christ,
as Your followers
You call us to take Your message
of peace to those around us.
Help us to de-clutter,
to get rid of all that is not needed,
in order to carry out our mission
of peace to the world.
Amen.