Sunday July 6th
Luke 10 1-12,17-20
GOD BLESS ALL HERE
Sent in pairs, to reap a harvest as bearers of peace
Just as the early Disciples were called and sent with a mission of peace and good will … it only seems right that we too might leave our Sunday gathering with the Gospel of today ringing in our ears.
Just as they were sent to “all the places he himself was to visit” our task can only make sense if we recognize Jesus in the people and the places we will encounter during the week. Hopefully by now it has registered for us that Jesus has a habit of being present in the strangest of places and the most peculiar of people … just as in us!!
With such a discerning and non judgmental attitude as Disciples of the Christ we’ve encountered here in his WORD and SACRAMENT … we might head out on our Pilgrimage of this week becoming what we have received … THE BODY OF CHRIST …. “With no purse, haversack or sandals” ( in our case metaphorically) announcing as we cross thresholds “Peace to this house” …. A throwback to my childhood memory of the neighbour walking through our unlocked front or back door announcing their arrival with the then common greeting ‘GOD BLESS ALL HERE’ !!
The lesson of no need for purse, haversack or sandals speaks to what might be the essential ‘Hand luggage’ needed for our journey … TRUST, SURRENDER, BELIEVE, RECEIVE …
If trusted to be the bearers of Christ’s peace … Trust is what we are called to nurture within self, leading to that belief that we will not be left alone and in fact in the living of this Discipleship we will be the ones returning with our “Haversack” full .. Fulfilled in our Christian mission.
“The seventy two came back rejoicing.” overwhelmed at what they achieved in Christ’s name.
We live in an age when messengers of Peace, bearers of Peace are ‘essential workers’ among humanity …. In our commentary, in word, online, expression …. We can be most powerful when we recognize the power that love can have as we cross then threshold of another persons life!!
GOD BLESS ALL HERE
FOR PEACE
As the fever of day calms towards twilight May all that is strained in us come to ease.
We pray for all who suffered violence today, May an unexpected serenity surprise them.
For those who risk their lives each day for peace,
May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history.
That those who make riches from violence and war Might hear in their dreams the cries of the lost.
That we might see through our fear of each other a new vision to heal our fatal attraction to aggression.
That those who enjoy the privilege of peace might not forget their tormented brothers and sisters.
That the wolf might lie down with the lamb, that our swords be beaten into ploughshares
And no hurt or harm be done anywhere along the holy mountain.
JOHN O’DONOHUE