___ Click here for Audio of Homily__
___ Click here for Video of Mass __
In
today’s Gospel, Jesus sends out 72 disciples on a mission. They are traveling
with a purpose, with clear instructions, and with the goal of preparing the way
for the Lord. I’d like to reflect on this Gospel using three words:
Declaration, Directions, and Destination
[►► 1. Declaration]
As we celebrate this weekend’s 4th of July, it's estimated that over 72 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles—more than ever before. Interestingly, today’s Gospel also speaks of 72 travelers – 72 disciples —not folks headed to barbecues or the beach, but disciples heading into towns to share the Good News. Both groups are on the move.
Before
any journey with Jesus, we are called to make a
declaration—a profession of faith. The disciples didn’t just wake up and
wander; they accepted a calling. In the same way, each of us begins our
spiritual journey with a declaration: at our baptism, in our prayers, through
acts of love and forgiveness.
Here
is one practical example. In April, I made a personal declaration: that I would
fly to visit my parents after Easter Sunday Mass. It was a tight
schedule—Easter Sunday Mass in the morning, a flight out of Newark Airport by
early afternoon. I was nervous about the timing, the traffic, the logistics.
But a friend kindly offered to drive me, taking a route through the city of
Newark which I did not know. To my surprise, everything went smoothly. I
arrived early and boarded a quiet plane—most people weren’t traveling that day.
In
this case, going against the flow, making a different kind of choice, felt
“risky” but made the journey easier.
And
spiritually, this is often true. Discipleship sometimes means taking the path fewer people are on—making
different declarations with your life than those around you. That can feel
risky, but it's the beginning of entrusting ourselves to the Holy Spirit.
[] Making a “declaration” as a traveler – practically and legally speaking –
also means we have something of value that we possess. Being a traveler, and disciple to our own
families, with our faith, means sharing our faith by what we say and do. Yes,
this type of declaration might cost us something, but we are laying up treasure
in heaven. []
[►► 2. Directions]
Once we declare our intent
to follow Jesus, we need directions—and in this Gospel,
Jesus gives them. He tells the disciples to carry no money bag, no sack, no
sandals, and to greet no one on the road.
That
might sound odd. Why shouldn’t they greet people? Isn’t kindness a part of
discipleship? Of course—but Jesus is urging focus. Not every conversation is
fruitful. Not every path is meant for us. Sometimes we need to be discerning,
to stay on course spiritually, rather than getting caught up in distractions.
I remember being at an
airport years ago, delayed for hours. I was tired and bored, and I struck up a
conversation with someone who had a backpack from my old high school. It passed
the time, but it was just small talk. Nothing wrong with that—but spiritually, Jesus is reminding us:
Be careful who you talk to. Be careful what conversations you allow to shape
your journey.
[] In more serious
“difficulties” than an airport delay, I am called to ask myself – do I seek
advice and counsel carefully and with discernment? Do I hear only what I want
to hear and disregard the rest? []
This
doesn’t mean we should avoid others or be unfriendly. But not every distraction
is harmless, not every conversation is helpful. Some detours in life can derail
us. That’s why Jesus gives these strong instructions. Focus on the mission. Focus on where you're going.
[►► 3. Destination]
And what is our destination?
Jesus says, “Rejoice not because the
spirits are subject to you, but because your names are written in heaven.”
That’s
our goal. Not just to get somewhere faster. Not to be praised or noticed or
recognzied. The disciples weren’t sent out to make a name for themselves—they
were sent to prepare the way for Jesus.
In
contrast, most of the 72 million traveling this weekend are headed to beaches,
cookouts, family reunions. These are good things—but our Gospel calls us to
think bigger. Our true destination isn’t a vacation—it’s our vocation, our
calling: heaven. Eternal life. That’s
why we declare, why we follow directions, why we stay focused.
And
along the way, we live as disciples not just in name, but in action.
[] And, that’s why travel – so we can also come home. We go out also so that
we can come home to God in prayer and meditation. []
We
show our faith by loving the people who are hard to love. By sharing what we
have with those in need. By forgiving others, even when they don’t say sorry.
By teaching our children about faith, and by praying even when we don’t feel
like it.
We
declare our faith not only by what we say, but by what we carry, what we let go
of, and where we’re going, what we “declare ---
[Close] Jesus is
telling us: Don’t rejoice in what you can do—rejoice in what God has done for
you. Don’t travel just to be seen.
Travel with purpose. Follow the path that leads to life.
No comments:
Post a Comment