After this the Lord appointed seventy [-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. (Luke 10:1-2 NABRE)
In today's passage, Jesus is preparing witnesses to himself and his ministry. These witnesses include not only the Twelve but also the seventy-two who may represent the Christian mission in Luke’s own day.* Remember, Luke's gospel was written as the first part of a two-volume work including the Acts of the Apostles about fifty or sixty years after Jesus' death on the cross. The author is believed to have been a second generation Christian.*
The theme of sending out his followers to prepare the way for his arrival is a preview of our own call to go out and prepare others for Jesus' return.
Today, I will be a laborer for Jesus and go out into the field to help spread the word to all who hear.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church, patron of florists, missionaries, and pilots, pray for us.
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