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He Sent Them Two by Two…

In the Gospel of this Sunday’s liturgy, we read that “the Lord appointed seventy-two [disciples], and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come” (cf. Lk 10:1). The disciples were sent two by two, not individually. To go on a mission two by two, from a practical point of view, would seem to bring more disadvantages than advantages. There is the risk that the two would not get along, that they would go at different paces, that one would get tired or sick along the way, forcing the other to stop. When one is alone, on the other hand, it seems the journey would become swifter and smoother. However, Jesus does not think like this: he does not send people out alone before him, but disciples who go two by two. Let us ask ourselves a question: what is the rea-son for this choice of the Lord?

It was the disciples’ task to go ahead into the villages to prepare the people to receive Jesus; and the instructions he gives them are not so much about what they should say, but how they should be: that is, not on the “phrasebook” of what they should say, no; on the witness of life, the witness to give rather than the words to say. Indeed, he defines them as workers: in other words, they are called to work, to evangelize through their behavior. And the first practical action with which the disciples carry out their mission is precisely that of going two by two. The disciples are not “free agents”, preachers who do not know how to yield the word to another. It is primarily the very life of the disciples that announces the Gospel: their knowing how to be together, their mutual respect, their not wanting to prove that they are more capable than the other, their concordant reference to the one Master.

Perfect pastoral plans can be drawn up, and well-designed projects implemented, organized down to the last detail; one can summon crowds and have many means; but if there is no openness to fraternity, the evangelical mission cannot advance. Once, a missionary recounted how he left for Africa with a confrere. However, after some time he separated from him, stopping in a village where he successfully implemented a series of building projects for the good of the community. Everything was working well. But one day he had a jolt: he realized that his life was that of a good entrepreneur, always in the midst of building sites and paperwork! But… and that “but” remained there. So, he left the management to others, to the laypeople, and joined his confrere. He thus understood why the Lord had sent the disciples “two by two”: the evangelizing mission is not based on personal activism, that is, on “doing”, but on the witness of brotherly love, even amid the difficulties that living together entails.

So, we might wonder: how do we take the good news of the Gospel to others? Do we do so with a fraternal spirit and style, or in the manner of the world, with self-promotion, competitiveness and efficiency? Let us ask ourselves whether we have the capacity to collaborate; whether we know how to make decisions together, sincerely respecting those who are alongside us and taking into account their point of view; whether we do so in community, not by ourselves. Indeed, it is above all in this way that the life of the disciple allows that of the Master to shine through, truly announcing it to others.

May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, teach us to prepare the way for the Lord with the witness of fraternity. [Synthesized from Pope Francis, Angelus, 03 07 22]

Fr. Rajesh, MSC

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

My friends, our gospel today is about evangelization – missionary work.  Bringing the Good News of Jesus to the world.  We are so blessed to have Missionaries right here at our parishes in Palm Springs.  Fr. Luis, Fr. David, Fr. John and Fr. Rajesh – Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC’s).

The MSC’s travel to all parts of the world, bringing the Good News of Jesus.  “The kingdom of God is at hand for you.”

Some years ago – I assisted Bishop Barnes (who was our Ordinary at the time) at a Confirmation Mass.  And, as he always did, he told the Confirmation Candidates that he would ask them some questions – to see if they're ready for Confirmation.  It was cute how they all got  nervous and no one looked at him – for fear of being called upon...

Well, that night, Bishop Barnes asked:  "Why does the Church exist ?" Immediately – a bunch of hands shot up:

• One said:  "So we could have Mass on Sunday."  Bishop said, "No.  It's a blessing to participate at Mass on Sunday.  But – that's not why the Church exists." 

• Another said:  "So we could have the Sacraments."  Bishop said, "No.  We  celebrate the Sacraments because each Sacrament celebrates an important event in our life.   But – that's not why the Church exists."

Now – all the hands went down and there was silence.  After a long period of nervous silence – Bishop Barnes said:

"The reason the Church exists – is to tell the world about Jesus."

"The reason the Church exists is to evangelize – to tell the world about Jesus." 

Bishop said, "That's my job. And that’s your job too.  Each and every one of us are called  – to tell the world about Jesus.  'The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few'……”

In our gospel – when Jesus sent the 72 disciples to evangelize, his instructions were plain and simple: 

• Only two people per village.

• Bring nothing for the journey – not even sandals.

• Eat whatever they give you.

• Stay in whatever house welcomes you.  Don't be moving around – looking for better accommodations…

Now – if a marketing expert were to hear of Jesus' plan to evangelize the world – by way of 12 Apostles and 72 disciples – he or she would say it is doomed to fail. 

But, it didn't fail.  Currently – there are 1.4 Billion Catholics in the world – plus an additional 1 Billion people belonging to other Christian denominations. 

That’s living proof that people continue to hunger for Jesus’ message of love.  So many of these people heard the message of Jesus from ordained missionaries.  But most heard the message of Jesus from people like you and me. 

We are all called by Jesus to be missionaries, bringing:

• A message of welcome

• A message of  peace

• A message of love and salvation, the saving power of Jesus.

Now, some might ask, “What is Jesus saving us from ?”   The answer is simple:  Evil !

In our Gospel, Jesus said:  "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.”

We would be naive to think that Satan, the Spirit of Evil, no longer exists just because Satan was driven from Heaven by St. Michael the Archangel.  The devil’s greatest trick is to convince us that he does not exist.  In one of his homilies, Pope Francis said “The devil is a trickster using negative influences as cunning tactics to lead individuals astray.”  The pope urged us to be vigilant against such influences.

In our daily prayer, we ask God our Father to “lead us not into temptation but deliver us evil.”

My friends, just as love begets love – hate begets hate.  In today’s day and age with social media, it’s easy to get caught up with one group disagreeing with another group.  Many times the disagreement turns into hate.

Pope Francis warned of 'fanaticism and hatred' in social media, denouncing an era of "disinformation and polarization."   Pope Francis once told our Bishop Rojas that his biggest fear is "DIVISION."  

"United we stand, divided we fall" is a well-known proverb emphasizing the strength and success that comes from unity, whereas weakness and failure is the result of division.

As missionaries following in the footprints of the 72 disciples, we are called to love one another and bless one another in our everyday life.  The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis says it beautifully:

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy