Theme of the Sunday: Sent to Announce Peace. In his letter to the Romans, Paul says that one cannot believe in Christ without first having heard about him. Faith depends on preaching (Rom 10:14-17). The gospel of today begins by recalling the need for people who will announce the word of God; it goes on to show how they should carry out their mission. They are reminded not to be discouraged, that evil has already been defeated and the victory of the kingdom of God is assured. The first reading is in line with this last part of the gospel. When troubles ethnic we should not forget that the promises of God will always be realised. The lamb does not rely on its own strength but on the help of the shepherd; a child may be weak, but is safe in the arms of its mother. The second reading is also about this. Paul says that his glory is in the cross of Christ. Those who proclaim the gospel must not rely on their own strength. Our strength comes from the word that we proclaim.
FIRST READING Isaiah 66:10-14c
“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all who love her; rejoice with her I joy, all you who mourn over her; that you may suck and be satisfied with her consoling breasts; that you may drink deeply with delight from the abundance of her glory.” For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall suck, you shall be carried upon her hip, and fondled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 66:1-3a.4-5.6-7a. 16 and 20 (R. 1)
R. Cry out with joy to God, all the earth.
Cry out with joy to God, all the earth;
O sing to the glory of his name.
O render him glorious praise.
Say to God, “How awesome your deeds!” R.
“Before you all the earth shall bow down,
shall sin to you, sing to your name!”
Come and see the works of God:
awesome his deeds among the children of men. R
He turned the sea into dry land;
they passed through the river on foot.
Let our joy, then, be in him;
he rules forever by his might. R.
Come and hear, all who fear God;
I will tell what he did for my soul.
Blest be God, who did not reject my prayer,
nor withhold from me his merciful love. R.
SECOND READING Galatians 6: 14-18
Brethren: Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Colossians 3 : 15a.16a
Alleluia. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Alleluia.
GOSPEL Luke 10:1-12.17-20
At that time: The Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house! ’And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ‘
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.