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SCRIPTURE READINGS
At that time, the Lord appointed seventy-two disciples
whom he sent ahead in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He told them,
"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,
so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers.
Go on your way. Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry neither a money bag, nor a sack, nor sandals,
and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.'
If peaceful people live there,
your peace will rest on them,
but if not, it will return to you."
Lk 10: 1-12
Some Textual Comparisons
It is interesting how following a footnote can lead to new insight and understanding. I learned from the commentary in NAB that only Luke's Gospel presents the sending out of the Seventy-Two disciples. As it turns out, Mark 6:6b-13 details the sending forth of the Twelve Apostles as does Luke 9, and there are many parallels to both accounts in Lk 10. In all three texts, the disciples' mission is identical: to preach repentance, drive out demons, heal the sick, and proclaim the Kingdom of God. In addition, all three texts indicate that the disciples are to travel lightly. In Mk 6, the Twelve are to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick --neither food, nor a sack nor money in their belts, nor a second tunic; however, they can wear sandals. In Luke 9, the Twelve are not to carry even a walking stick, but there is no mention of sandals while in Lk 10, Jesus explicitly tells the Seventy-Two to travel barefoot. In all three texts, the disciples are to accept the hospitality of the houses they enter and shake the dust from their feet if they are not welcomed.
Two by Two
The Twelve in Mark 6 and the Seventy-Two in Luke 10 are to minister in pairs.Two random and rather whimsical associations come to mind: the animals going two by two into Noah's Ark (Gn 6:19-20) and God's observation, "It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a suitable partner for him" (Gn 2:18). In the first example, the sparing of a male and female of each species ensures the continuation of all creatures; the second addresses the reality of human alone-ness. Both are relevant. "Fertility" is not just a matter of producing offspring but can also apply to yielding a harvest, producing results, ensuring success. Several of the Christian mystics (including St. Bonaventure and Meister Eckhart) refer to the "fecundity of God" or God's unlimited abundance. Jesus' expectation is that his disciples will grow the Kingdom of God through their preaching and healing ministry -- and two disciples have a greater chance of success than one person acting alone. Which brings us to the topic of alone-ness. I'm deliberately avoiding using the word "loneliness" as there is more at stake here than someone feeling isolated. On the one hand, having a companion does provide spiritual and emotional support; it is good to be able to "de-brief," to grieve over failures and give thanks for successes; it is also safer to venture into unknown territory in pairs rather than by oneself. On the other hand, having a partner also helps keep the ego in check. The disciples are sent forth to minister in Jesus' Name and to preach and heal in the ways that he has taught them; they are not to make themselves the center of attention nor to distort the message entrusted to them. Traveling in pairs is one way of remembering whom they are serving!
Traveling Light
To leave home without provisions, or money or even sandals is enough to deter even the most devoted of followers. As one who seldom leaves home without my cell phone, driver's license, a credit card and insulated water bottle, I would find these instructions hard to follow. However, it seems that Jesus is speaking literally here and not just symbolically. In the previous chapter, Luke presents the "would-be" followers of Jesus who each have an excuse that gets in the way of commitment-- and Jesus challenges their priorities: "Let the dead bury their dead" (Lk 9: 60). What is called for is an immediate response, without delaying tactics, with no thought to one's own comfort or convenience. To be a disciple, then, means nothing less than total dependency on God and complete detachment from the comforts of this world. Only then are we "fit for the kingdom of God" (Lk 9:62); only then, in that radical surrender, will we enable the power of the Spirit to flow through us without limitations of any kind...
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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
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What does St. Paul mean when he writes, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Gal 6:14)?
- Who are the people who support you in your journey of faith?
- What does "surrender" mean to you, spiritually speaking?
- To what extent do you trust that God will provide all that you need?
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