Today’s Scripture Readings

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

We are certainly living in turbulent times, and although it can feel like we have a uniquely challenging world to navigate, the time of Christ was also a time of immense political tension. This is the context in which the disciples were sent out in Luke’s Gospel – a time that Jesus described as having a harvest that is plentiful.

When he sent them out to preach the Gospel and to heal the sick, he said to them, ‘See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.’ (Luke 10:3). The imagery feels pertinent to those of us called in this time to share the good news. What really stood out for me in this reading was that he commands them to speak peace to the places they go.

Jesus says, ‘Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.’ (Luke 10:5–6). It is fascinating that even though they went out like lambs among wolves, they carried a peace that was not only tangible but transferable.

As St. Paul writes, ‘Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1). What could be more relevant to a world falling into fear and survival – a world that has lost its centre?

I am challenged by this to truly know the peace I have in Christ and to share it with those who will receive it – to invite them into the peace of the Gospel.