26th Week in Ordinary Time, Thurs. Oct.5,2006

Scripture: Job19:21-27. Psalm 27:7-9,13-14. Luke 10:1-12

Once we have accepted Jesus' call to discipleship we are then told to bring the Good News to everyone. We are the seventy-two who are now sent out to preach the coming of the Kingdom as announced by Jesus. So, in a definite sense, we are more than disciples; we are apostles, that is, those sent on a mission that Jesus has inaugurated. The mission is urgent and universal. It demands us to leave aside non-essentials so that we are not burdened as we move on "from village to village."

This passage made me think of a great movie called the "Mission". This was the story of the early Jesuits who evangelized parts of South America. They went through what the first apostles did and they, too, were martyred for the Good News about Jesus. Throughout the movie there was beautiful meditative musical theme which is used today at the Eucharist either during the time of the offering of the gifts of bread and wine or as a musical meditation at Communion time.

Jesus tells the seventy-two to dress simply and to move quickly. The mission is always urgent and universal. I think we have captured this message through the inspiration of the document on the Church where everyone is called to holiness. It is here that the laity have taken up the mission that formerly was in the hands of brothers, priests, and sisters. Now it is in the tremendous huge heart of the Church, the laity,who make up more that 99 percent of the Church. The People of God have taken up this call and make up for what is lacking in the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. Those of us who are religious with vows should encourage, support and help the lay people who do this. Their call is definitely found within the spirit of Vatican II. Holiness accompanies discipleship and discipleship leads to our all being apostles, that is, those officially sent on God's mission. Amen.