Once again this week, America offers FREE access to "The Word" commentary. This is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Diane Bergant writes that "the readings for today offer us two conflicting images. One is of abundance and rejoicing; the other is of the cross and self-denial." John R. Donahue, S.J., notes in Luke’s Gospel "Jesus sends 72 followers on a journey to proclaim peace, bring healing and announce that God’s kingdom is at hand....While all the synoptic Gospels include a mission of the Twelve, only Luke adds a second mission of the 72." And Daniel Harrington, S.J., reflects on Jesus’s leadership. Our hope is that "The Good Word" will become an interactive forum for our readers. So if you’re putting together a homily for Sunday, tell us what you’re thinking of talking about. For those who occupy the pews, write in Monday to tell us what you heard. Just add your comments below. Happy 4th! Tim Reidy, Online Editor
Word columns for July 8
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17 years 10 months ago
When Jesus sent out the 72 they were to do what he had done. The action of Christ is often spelled out by St. Paul as one of reconciliation, especially between Jew and Gentile. We know how hard Paul worked at this in his own life. So all of us have been called to be "ambassadors of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:20). If Jesus worked to bring peace he capped off his mission with the shedding of his blood. Therefore Paul could say in Ephesians 2:11ff that "in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ" (see verse 13). Christians were not to use violence, but just the example of their lives of love, healing and forgiveness as Jesus did. We still have that mission in the world today with its brokeness between so many cultures.
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