Today’s Scripture Readings

The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

At that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

Then turning to the disciples, Jesus said to them privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.’

Today’s Gospel invites us to lean into the heart of our true gift: eternal life. The seventy-two return with joy from their time in ministry, celebrating their victories. Jesus turns their hearts toward the Father’s gracious gift that surpasses all victories: being known and named in heaven. The greatest blessing is not power or prestige, but belonging to God, a relationship that sustains us in every season.

The disciples’ actions of exorcisms and healings are real and meaningful, yet Jesus points out that they are secondary. They are not trophies to boast over but loving means to reveal God’s Kingdom so that others may glimpse the invitation to eternal life.

Many of us reading this reflection are serving in our churches and communities, doing amazing things in our context. When we minister with the intention to point others to Jesus, our actions become gentle bridges inviting others to taste and see the goodness of God. They point beyond themselves to the One who invites all to fullness of life.

Loving Father, may we remember today that the joy of the Kingdom rests in our identity as Your beloved children who are citizens of heaven. We ask that the true intention of our work in ministry be to point others toward eternal life, and that we may celebrate our friendship with You in the truth that our names are written in heaven. Amen.