MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples 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. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this household.' If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.' Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, 'The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.' Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town."

REFLECTION: "... I am sending you like lambs among wolves."

When my children went off to college, I no longer could watch their daily activities, choices and going ons. High school had been a foretaste of this new future with new friends and independence.

College would have many more lessons to be learned in their decision making and stepping out as adults. I prayed, under my breath--Dear Lord, "I am sending them like lambs among wolves" as I saw their smiles fade away as we drove off.

Will they have so much trust in themselves that they won't call for advice or have confidence in God's will? Will they continue going to church? Will they remember the lessons taught, the love shared, their Eucharistic center? Will they remember to study?

God has sent us out to continue His work. He has prepared us for the journey and as any good parent He reminds us of what we are to do. Jesus gave instructions--the harvest is abundant, ask for help, trust in me--carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals. Give my peace, cure the sick and move on if you are not received.

And as a WWI Army chaplain said--"Don't let the devil spoil the work by making you fret and worry." Father Willie Doyle.

Trust in God's embracing love. Are we ready to believe in God's promises, that He would never leave us alone and give us all we need to be His laborers?

God Bless