Saturday, July 5, 2025

Sunday, July 6th, 2025, Proper Six


                                                        Sunday July 6, 2025

The Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.' "Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

Jesus sent out seventy in pairs to share the good news of God's love and peace. They were going out, without provisions, in a time that was very fragile, soldiers and military in the streets in an occupied country. Very few felt safe in these times. Yet they went out, trusting that God's love would protect them and that they could bring healing and peace to the people that accepted them. We often think of only the twelve disciples who were empowered. Here is the story of the rest of us, in times to similar to those, who are called to go out and carry God's love with us to a hurting and frightened world. This is not a story of celebrity but a story of humility, being one with the people most needing God's grace, love and peace. May we too be empowered to carry God's love healing and peace today.

Wondrous Creator, you put your heart in all people
giving us the power to spread peace and healing
equipping us with what we need for our journey.
Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.
We are fearful and confused in these times
we forget that others before us were likewise scared
and that they were simple people saying yes to you.
Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.
Your disciples often doubted and were afraid as well
yet you walked with them and you walk with us.
Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.
We want our ease and comfort but you've called us
to step our beyond the gate and love our neighbors.
Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.
We pretend to care about the poor and the needy
yet we often cross the road to the other side in fear.
Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.
Take our frightened hearts and make them bold
put our feet on the path of your love and peace.
Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love.
Lord, you will give us your strength in every breath
help us to embrace our neighbors with your peace today.
Lord, help us to labor in your name, carrying your joy and your love. Amen.

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