14th Sunday in Ordinary Time C. July 6, 2025
Isaiah 66:10-14c; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12,
17-20
Theme:
All Baptized Christians (Laypeople and Clerics) Share the Same Mission
A. A Brief Exegetical Analysis of Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
1.
Historical
and Literary Contexts
Our Gospel passage occurs
during Jesus’ long journey to Jerusalem (9:51–19:27), where his Passion, Death,
Resurrection, and Ascension will take place. In this large section, Jesus
teaches and trains his followers, preparing them for the roles they will have
in his Church after his earthly life. For example, in our Gospel passage, Jesus
sends out seventy [-two] disciples with instructions. After completing their
mission, these disciples return and share with Jesus how successful it was. The
story of Jesus rebuking the unrepentant towns (10:13-16) is placed between the
two parts of our passage. The account of the Would-be Followers of Jesus
(9:57-62) comes before our passage, and the story of Jesus praising the Father
(10:21-22) comes after it.
2. Form,
Structure, and Movement
This narrative account is
structured into two parts: Jesus sending his followers on a mission with
instructions (vv. 1-12) and the return of these disciples from their mission
(vv. 17-20).
3.
Detailed Analysis
Vv. 1-12. Luke is the
only evangelist who recounts two episodes of Jesus sending his disciples on a
mission. In the first episode, Jesus sent twelve apostles (Lk 9:1-6),
representing the clerics. In the second episode, our passage, he sends
seventy-two disciples, chosen from among his followers, representing the
baptized laypeople. The number “seventy-two,” which is a multiple of twelve,
signifies the universalism of Jesus’s mission. Some Bible translations, such as
the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE), read
"seventy" instead of "seventy-two." The number “seventy”
alludes to the seventy elders whom Moses appointed, by God's recommendation, to
assist him in his mission of leading the people of Israel (see Numbers 11:16-17,
24-25; Exodus 24). Thus, the seventy disciples represent the Mosaic tradition.[1]
“Just as Moses had twelve tribal princes and seventy elders, [Jesus], the new
Moses has the Twelve Apostles and seventy disciples.”[2]
Here, Luke tells his readers that Jesus commissioned both the clerics and
baptized laypeople to the same mission of building the kingdom of God in all
nations.
The disciples are sent on
a mission not individually, but in pairs (v. 1). This underscores the
importance of community life and a sense of mutual support and collaboration in
ministry. The expression “lambs among wolves” (v. 3) signifies that the
non-defensive disciples are sent among hostile individuals, the enemies of the
Word of God, who may mistreat and persecute them. This warning is not intended
to scare or discourage them; instead, it aims to strengthen them and encourage
them to be prudent.
The mission instructions
that Jesus provides can be categorized into three groups. The first group (v.
4) emphasizes the urgency of the mission and the focus required from
missionaries. The newly sent should refrain from attachment to material
possessions, and customary greetings should not distract them from
accomplishing their mission.[3]
The second group (vv. 5, 9) pertains to the mission's content, which involves
bringing peace to peaceful people, healing the sick, and proclaiming that the
kingdom of God is near. The third group addresses how to respond when people
welcome or reject them during their mission. They should accept what the
welcoming house provides for them to eat and drink (vv. 7-8). However, they
should not retaliate if they are unwelcome. They should shake off the dust from
their feet to signify that unwelcoming people are responsible for their eternal
condemnation (vv. 10-12).
Vv. 17-20. Luke does not
report on these disciples during their mission. Instead, he informs his readers
about their return from the mission and their joy in reporting to Jesus about
its success. Their mission to bring peace to the people, heal the sick, and proclaim
the reign of the kingdom of God on earth caused Satan to fall like lightning,
signifying the end of his reign (v. 18). Jesus invites these returning
missionaries to rejoice not because they have authority over Satan but because
their names are written in heaven (v. 20).
4. Synthesis
The Twelve Apostles, whom
Jesus sent on a mission in the first episode (9:1-6), represent the clerics. In
the second episode, which is our passage, the seventy (-two) other disciples
whom Jesus commissions here represent the laypeople. He sends them in pairs,
emphasizing the importance of community life and mutual support. He warns them
that they are non-defensive missionaries (lambs) and that there will be
“wolves,” meaning hostile individuals among the people they will minister to.
This warning is not intended to scare them but to strengthen and encourage them
to be prudent. The mission instructions emphasize, first, the urgency of the
mission and the focus required from missionaries (v. 4); second, the mission's
content of bringing peace, healing the sick, and proclaiming the kingdom of God
(vv. 5, 9); and third, how to respond when people welcome or reject them during
their mission (vv. 7-8, 10-12). Upon returning from their mission, these
disciples, filled with joy, report to Jesus about their success. Their mission
work made Satan see the end of his reign (v. 18). Jesus invites these returning
missionaries to rejoice not because they have authority over Satan but because
their names are written in heaven (v. 20).
B. Pastoral
Implications
1.
Liturgical
Context
On the Solemnity of
Pentecost, which we celebrated four Sundays ago, we were empowered with the graces
and gifts of the Holy Spirit to begin the mission Jesus left us before he
ascended into heaven (Ascension Sunday). Today, the Church invites us to
meditate on this mission. In the Gospel, Jesus sends seventy-two disciples to
carry out the mission of implementing the kingdom of God he initiated. In the
First Reading, the prophet Isaiah comforts the frustrated chosen people,
encouraging them to rejoice and be glad in their mission of rebuilding the
ruined city of Jerusalem. In the Second Reading, the Church presents Saint Paul
as a model of a great missionary to imitate.
2. What
the Church Teaches Us Today
Luke presents two mission accounts: the
mission of the twelve (Luke 9:1-6) and the mission of the seventy-two or
seventy, depending on the Bible translations. The Twelve represent the ordained
ministers, while the seventy refer to lay Christians. Thus, Jesus sends both
clerics and lay baptized Christians on a mission with the same instructions and
purposes: to bring peace, heal the sick, and invite everyone to embrace the
kingdom of God that is at hand. Since we, the ordained and lay ministers, share
the same mission, our Holy Mother Church calls us to work in perfect
collaboration, each in his or her specific vocation. Jesus sends us not
individually but in pairs, emphasizing the importance of community life and
mutual support in our mission.
Also, Jesus warns us that
we are sent like lambs among wolves, meaning there may be hostile individuals
among those we are sent to who could mistreat, mock, discourage, or even
persecute us. Jesus’ warning is not intended to scare or discourage us, but rather
to comfort us and call us to be prudent. When these mistreatments occur, our
Lord instructs us to “go out into the streets and shake off the dust from our
feet against them” (vv. 10-11). This gesture signifies that we should let
hostile individuals know the consequence of the eternal condemnation that
awaits them if they continue to reject the kingdom of God, which is at hand.
For our part, we should neither retaliate nor give up our mission amid
rejection and suffering because our mission is not to judge or condemn but to
save souls. Saint Paul, in our second reading, encourages us with his own
example; he bears the marks of Jesus on his body. Likewise, Isaiah, in our
first reading, calls his fellow Israelites and us today to rejoice and be glad
while on our mission.
Our first reading tells
us the story of the people of Israel, who, upon their return to their land
after Babylon’s exile, feel frustrated to rebuild the ruined Jerusalem. The
prophet Isaiah understands their frustration in this challenging mission. That
is why, in our first reading passage, he commences by comforting them with the
optimistic words: rejoice, be glad, and exult. Let us draw comfort from these
words from Isaiah whenever we too feel frustrated in our mission. In this
passage, the prophet encourages the people of Israel to begin the work of
rebuilding Jerusalem, which will not only transform their city but also
transform them, as they will become a new creation. They do not have to fear
because God will provide motherly care and a guiding plan. Likewise, our Holy
Mother Church encourages us to begin our mission of transforming the people we
are sent to, trusting that God provides us with his motherly care.
May the liturgy of this
Eucharist empower us to be effective missionaries of Jesus. Amen.
Fr. Leon Ngandu, SVD
Pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church, Jackson, MS &
SVD USS Biblical Apostolate Coordinator
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