1After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. 2And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. 5Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!' 6And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. 7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; 9heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
The reading is a call to evangelization. But what is the method? Is is about standing on a soap box and spreading the word of the kingdom? Jesus establishes that there is a lot to do. So he sends others out to prepare for him. He says salute no one on the road. Why does he say that? He says to carry little, Why does he say that? And he says when you enter a house, first say peace to this house. If the peace is not received, go elsewhere. So I reflected on what evangelization looks like. Firstly the reading states the Lord is coming behind us. We are preparing the way for him. Maybe soapboxes worked when societies gathered in the time square to listen to speakers. That is not the mode of communication now. And I cannot see it working. I did get from the reading that peace and healing go hand in hand. They are the outward signs of love, and love ultimately transforms. It seems to me that our mission as disciples involves not just words but actions that bring healing and wholeness to others. It says to me that you can wave your bible around with great intention but what transforms people is the experience of being loved. Then they are open to God's grace. Perhaps our call to discipleship is simply a call to reach out to others with love.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on Luke 10:1-9 captures the essence of what evangelization means in practice: it’s less about loud proclamations and more about embodying love and peace. The reading indeed suggests that the method of evangelization involves humility, simplicity, and relational engagement, rather than dramatic gestures or public declarations.
DeleteWhen Jesus tells the disciples to “salute no one on the road,” it can seem puzzling, but this likely reflects the need for focus and urgency. Their mission is urgent, and stopping for lengthy social interactions could detract from their purpose. It’s a call to stay focused on the task at hand—bringing the peace and presence of God's kingdom to those who are open to it.
The instruction to carry little (no money, bag, or sandals) underscores the idea of radical trust in God’s provision. It’s a reminder that material things are secondary to the mission and that dependence on God frees disciples to focus on relationships and the message they carry. This act of relying on God's providence also helps the disciples remain humble, allowing them to show that the message they bring is not self-serving but a gift from God.
Your insight into the relationship between peace and healing is also key. Jesus’ command to offer peace upon entering a house, and to move on if it’s not received, suggests that evangelization isn’t about forcing a message or proving a point. Instead, it’s about offering love and healing where it is welcomed, and understanding that not everyone will be ready to receive it. Healing and wholeness, as you noted, are often the most powerful signs of God’s kingdom—people are more likely to be open to hearing the Gospel after they have experienced love, care, and healing.
Your conclusion that evangelization is a call to reach out to others with love is powerful. It echoes Jesus’ actions throughout the Gospels—His words were always accompanied by actions that demonstrated God’s love, whether through healing, forgiveness, or simply spending time with people on the margins. As modern disciples, we are called to do the same—to love others, to bring peace where we go, and through those actions, we prepare the way for people to encounter Christ.
I think your reflection is a beautiful and practical take on what evangelization looks like today. In a world where words are often not enough, the witness of loving action is what opens hearts to God’s grace.