Daily Readings - Sun Jul 03 2022
Isaiah
10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all you who love her! Rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her11So may you nurse and be filled, from the breasts of her consolations. So may you receive milk and overflow with delights, from every portion of her glory12For thus says the Lord: Behold, I will turn a river of peace toward her, with an inundating torrent: the glory of the Gentiles, from which you will nurse. You will be carried at the breasts, and they will caress you upon the knees13In the manner of one whom a mother caresses, so will I console you. And you will be consoled in Jerusalem14You will see, and your heart will be glad, and your bones will flourish like a plant, and the hand of the Lord will be known to his servants, and he will be angry with his enemies
Galatians
14But far be it from me to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world15For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision prevails in any way, but instead there is a new creature16And whoever follows this rule: may peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God17Concerning other matters, let no one trouble me. For I carry the stigmata of the Lord Jesus in my body18May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen
Luke
1Then, after these things, the Lord also designated another seventy-two. And he sent them in pairs before his face, into every city and place where he was to arrive2And he said to them: "Certainly the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest3Go forth. Behold, I send you out like lambs among wolves4Do not choose to carry a purse, nor provisions, nor shoes; and you shall greet no one along the way5Into whatever house you will have entered, first say, ‘Peace to this house.6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things that are with them. For the worker is worthy of his pay. Do not choose to pass from house to house8And into whatever city you have entered and they have received you, eat what they set before you9And cure the sick who are in that place, and proclaim to them, ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter themes of comfort, transformation, and mission, woven together by the thread of God's enduring love and purpose.
The first reading from Isaiah 66:10-14 offers a vision of Jerusalem as a place of rejoicing and comfort. Using the metaphor of a nurturing mother, Isaiah conveys God's promise of peace and flourishing for His people. This passage, written in a time of exile and hardship, reminds us that even in difficult times, God's care and consolation are ever-present, like a river of peace.
Paul's letter to the Galatians shifts our focus to the transformative power of Christ. In Galatians 6:14-18, Paul emphasizes that our identity is no longer tied to earthly distinctions but to the new creation in Christ. He bears the marks of Jesus, symbolizing his commitment to this new life. This new creation brings peace and mercy, urging us to live according to God's will, unencumbered by the old ways.
The Gospel from Luke 10:1-9 calls us to action. Jesus sends out 72 disciples, like lambs among wolves, to spread the message of the kingdom. They are to trust in God's provision, living simply and bringing peace to those they meet. This mission is not just for the disciples but for us today, reminding us to trust in God's plan and to share the Good News with humility and faith.
These readings connect by highlighting God's comfort and transformation as the foundation for our mission. We are called to embrace our role as bearers of peace and the kingdom, trusting in God's provision and living with simplicity and humility. May we, like the disciples, go forth with faith, bringing healing and the message of God's kingdom to a world in need.