14th Sunday of the year © July 3, 2016 – (Ref. Text: Luke 10:1–12.17–20)
“ConÂstantly exposÂing yourÂself to popÂuÂlar culÂture and the mass media will ultiÂmately shape your realÂity tunÂnel in ways that are not necesÂsarÂily conÂduÂcive to achievÂing your Soul PurÂpose and Life CallÂing. ModÂern sociÂety has genÂerÂally â€lost the plot’. SlavÂishly folÂlowÂing its false gods and idols makes no sense in a spirÂituÂally aware life.” “AnyÂthing you canÂnot relinÂquish when it has outÂlived its useÂfulÂness posÂsesses you, and in this materÂiÂalÂistÂic age a great many of us are posÂsessed by our possessions.”
Last Sunday’s GosÂpel readÂing ended with the disÂcernÂing of disÂciples and the cost of disÂcipleÂship (cf. Luke 9:57–62). In this Sunday’s readÂing, Jesus makes sevÂenty-two of his disÂciples experÂiÂence the pros and cons of proÂclaimÂing the GosÂpel. Though not indicÂated, but these sevÂenty-two disÂciples must have underÂstood betÂter Jesus’ words that “foxes have dens and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). They must have also learnt that the proÂclamÂaÂtion of the Good News have absoÂlute precedence.
ConÂtents
Much Harvest, Few Labourers
HavÂing sent out the Twelve apostles (cf. Luke 9:1–6), Jesus deemed it necesÂsary to send out othÂer sevÂenty-two disÂciples to facilÂitÂate the proÂclamÂaÂtion of the GosÂpel and the accomÂpanÂied physÂicÂal and spirÂituÂal healÂings. By remindÂing them that the harÂvest is much while the labourÂers are few, and implorÂing them to pray that God sends labourÂers to His harÂvest, Jesus explains to them the reasÂon for sendÂing them. Since the Twelve canÂnot spread the GosÂpel alone, it became necesÂsary to send these othÂer sevÂenty-two disÂciples. Even this numÂber is not enough, hence, the sense of the request to pray for more labourÂers. I am sendÂing you out like sheep in the midst of wolves is an instrucÂtion on how to go about the misÂsion of the proÂclamÂaÂtion of the GosÂpel, and the perÂseÂcuÂtion, rejecÂtion, and ridiculÂing the disÂciples are to endure. The alluÂsion to lambs implies that the disÂciples should not employ force in announÂcing the GosÂpel. The proÂclamÂaÂtion of the mesÂsage of life must be done in such a way that people should respond freely and willÂingly (cf. Matt 11:28; John 1:11–12; Acts 3:19; Rom 10:14–17; Rev 22:17). A genuÂine reliÂgious comÂmitÂment should not be by comÂpulÂsion. In MatÂthew 10:16 we read “I am sendÂing you out like sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serÂpents and innoÂcent as doves.” While the serÂpent is the symÂbol of shrewdÂness and intelÂlecÂtuÂal cunÂning (cf. Gen 3:1; Ps 58:4–5), the dove sigÂniÂfies innoÂcence (cf. Hos 7:11). The disÂciples should posÂsess these qualÂitÂies. They should be harmÂless, wise and innoÂcent as far as their misÂsion is concerned.
The Sending in Twos
Luke notes that these sevÂenty-two disÂciples were sent out two-by-two. In the GosÂpel accordÂing to Mark (6:7–13), the author records that it were the Twelve who were sent out in twos. This should not surÂprise us because Mark and Luke developed their theoÂlogy difÂferÂently. Beside the Twelve apostles, Luke deemed it necesÂsary to send out othÂer disÂciples in pairs, someÂthing not necesÂsary for the Twelve who had no need for any witÂness, havÂing been with Jesus. The sendÂing out in pairs is probÂably to bolÂster credÂibÂilÂity by havÂing the testiÂmony of more than one witÂness as stipÂuÂlated by the law (cf. Deut 17:6; 19:15).
Materialism as a Burden and Hindrance
It was D. HorÂton who noted that “materÂiÂalÂism is the only form of disÂtracÂtion from true bliss.”
The instrucÂtions on what to take and what not to take is almost the same with that givÂen to the Twelve apostles. CarÂryÂing no purse, no haverÂsack, no (extra) sanÂdals, no staff, etc., are on the same line with leavÂing the dead to bury their own dead (cf. Luke 9:60); and not being suitÂable again for the kingÂdom of God after putÂting hands in the blow and lookÂing back (cf. Luke 9:62). A disÂciple must not give room to any form of disÂtracÂtion. FurÂtherÂmore, the GosÂpel must be announced with simÂpliÂcity. By not allowÂing them to take these items, Jesus wanted the disÂciples to be free from materÂiÂal attachÂment, a burÂden to the disÂciple and a serÂiÂous hindrance to the misÂsion of the disÂciple. They should only equip themÂselves with spirÂituÂal qualÂitÂies because the people they are sent to, will provide their materÂiÂal needs includÂing accomÂmodÂaÂtions. In the words of O. GoldÂsmith, “our chief comÂforts often proÂduce our greatest anxiÂetÂies, and the increase in our posÂsesÂsions is but an inlet to new disÂquietÂudes.” Hence, the disÂciples should off-load their minds of every materÂiÂalÂism. The comÂmand not to greet people (cf. 2Kgs 4:29) is not lack of courÂtesy. As I said in last Sunday’s reflecÂtion, the proÂclamÂaÂtion of the GosÂpel does not tolÂerÂate disÂtracÂtions. Since such greetÂing used to be lengthy and time conÂsumÂing, it was betÂter avoided.
That Jesus sent out othÂer sevÂenty-two disÂciples after sendÂing the Twelve apostles, indicÂates that evanÂgelÂizÂaÂtion is not a sole responsÂibÂilÂity of the Twelve. No matÂter the numÂber of priests we have in CathÂolÂic Church for instance, the faithÂful canÂnot be left out in the proÂclamÂaÂtion and propagaÂtion of the GosÂpel. Today, the misÂsion of announÂcing the GosÂpel has taken difÂferÂent and diverse forms. HowÂever, the heart of the mesÂsage canÂnot be altered.
Accountability and Responsibility
While accountÂabÂilÂity means being responsÂible to someone or for some activÂity, responsÂibÂilÂity means doing what you are supÂposed to do and in a responsÂible manÂner. AccountÂabÂilÂity and responsÂibÂilÂity are two sides of the same coin. In our conÂtext, accountÂabÂilÂity means givÂing account of your activÂitÂies. In Luke 10:17, we read that the sevÂenty-two disÂciples came back and narÂrated to Jesus what happened. Mark puts this betÂter. In 6:30, Mark makes an interÂestÂing remark. At the end of the misÂsion of the Twelve, Mark observes with keen interest that the “apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.” In othÂer words, they gave Jesus account of their misÂsion. In the same way, leadÂers must always give sinÂcere account of their operÂaÂtions to the people for whom and to whom they are workÂing. In like manÂner, every disÂciple must be responsÂible. A responsÂible perÂson is a reliÂable indiÂviduÂal. That is, one who can be trusÂted and depended upon. A responsÂible perÂson is known for good judgÂment and sound thinkÂing. A responsÂible perÂson carÂries out his/her duties and obligÂaÂtions without waitÂing to be reminded or policed around. A responsÂible perÂson knows that he/she is answerÂable for his/her actions. A responsÂible perÂson does not exchange yes for no and vice versa (cf. Jas 5:12). A responsÂible perÂson gives account of his or her operÂaÂtions. ConÂversely, an accountÂable perÂson is a responsÂible indiÂviduÂal (cf. Matt 25:14–30). UnforÂtuÂnately, today espeÂcially here in NigerÂia, many leadÂers both civil and reliÂgious are neither responsÂible nor accountÂable. If they are, they are to themÂselves alone. Too bad! No matÂter what, strive to be accountÂable and responsÂible. Jesus was and we must be.
While the disÂciples rejoiced because of what they achieved, Jesus recalled their attenÂtion to a primary fact. Their joy should be because their names have been inscribed in the heavÂenly book and not because of what they achieved.
Proclaiming the Gospel Today
While Jesus, the Twelve and the othÂer disÂciples operÂated in a difÂferÂent envirÂonÂment, today, everything has changed even the way people underÂstand the mesÂsage itself. Since our culÂture, view of life, psyÂchoÂlogy, ecoÂnomy, and othÂer conÂtexts are quite difÂferÂent from the oriÂginÂal conÂtext in which the GosÂpel was first announced, the present day disÂciples must adapt the GosÂpel mesÂsage to suit the actuÂal conÂtexts of the people. This howÂever, does not mean ridiculÂing the mesÂsage or makÂing it busiÂness oriÂented, as it is in many AfricÂan counÂtries includÂing NigerÂia. It means knowÂing how to present the same mesÂsage to the conÂtemÂporÂary men and women in a lanÂguage that is pracÂticÂal and comÂpreÂhensÂible to them. The mesÂsage should be presenÂted in such a way that it reflects and touches their everyÂday life. SimÂilÂarly, Jesus’ instrucÂtions not to take anyÂthing need to be interÂpreted difÂferÂently and withÂin the social conÂtext of the people. HowÂever, no matÂter how we interÂpret such instrucÂtions, the funÂdaÂmentÂal mesÂsage remains the same. And that is, that those involved in the misÂsion of announÂcing the GosÂpel should beware of disÂtracÂtions. DisÂtracÂtions that derive espeÂcially from the quest for materÂiÂal acquisÂiÂtion and fame. The truth is that the GosÂpel has been terÂribly comÂpromÂised and disÂciples have made materÂiÂalÂism the sole and centre of everything. SomeÂtimes, a good numÂber of disÂciples worry not about the recepÂtion of the mesÂsage, but about materÂiÂal gain. As B. RusÂsell noted long ago, “it is preÂocÂcuÂpaÂtion with posÂsesÂsions, more than anyÂthing else that preÂvents men from livÂing freely and nobly.” The conÂtemÂporÂary disÂciples are not exempt from this danger. The chalÂlenges notÂwithÂstandÂing, the GosÂpel must not be misÂapÂproÂpriÂated or misÂapÂplied for selfish goals. Hesiod’s words that “acquisÂiÂtion [of materÂiÂal wealth] means life to miserÂable morÂtals”, should be taken serious.
Dear readÂer, to the disÂciples, Jesus assured that nothÂing shall ever hurt them. This is so long as they remain faithÂful and keep to the instrucÂtions. If howÂever they decide to do things their own way, then, they should be ready to bear the conÂsequences. WelÂcome to the month of July. So long as you remain faithÂful to God, you will remain unhurt. God bless you and have a nice week. Ciao! ShaÂlom!