Jesus instructs and sends 70 men to announce His Gospel. Every Catholic man can grow in happiness by building the Virtue of Chastity so he can grow in purity and pray for all enslaved by sexual sin and by seeking the Fruit of Joy from the Holy Spirit so he can overcome sorrow by staying close to Jesus Christ.
Liturgy
14th Week In Ordinary Time – Sunday – Cycle C – Lk 10:1-12; 17-20; 26th Week in Ordinary time – Thursday – Lk 10:1-12
Commentary
Having sent His 12 Apostles on a similar mission (Lk 9:1-6), Jesus commissions an expanded group of 70 men on a second wave of evangelization. Jesus’ decision to send 70 men is prophetic: Moses appointed 70 men as elders (Num 11:24-25); Genesis reveals the ancient world had 70 nations (Gen 10), which Jesus will later command to be evangelized (Mt 24:47).
Jesus directs His 70 men (no women are sent on this dangerous mission) with precise instructions: expect opposition and attack, travel in complete poverty and rely on charity, preach His Gospel, and heal the sick. He vehemently commands His men to publicly judge towns which reject His Gospel, and warns of the coming Judgment for those who reject Him, ominously using the destruction of Sodom for rampant homosexual sin as a warning (Gen 19:1-29). Omitted from today’s reading (v 13-16), Jesus further identifies Jewish towns (Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum) which will be harshly judged and cast into Hell. Upon the return of His 70 men, Jesus praises them, grants them special powers, and promises to list them as saints in Heaven for their faithful efforts.
Giving thanks, Jesus’ prayer to the Father reveals the closeness of the Father and the Son and how men can draw closer to God. He reveals through the Father’s gracious will, God is hidden from the arrogant (the self-proclaimed “wise”) and revealed to the innocent (infants); only through humble obedience and dependence can men receive Jesus’ Wisdom; the Son is the only way to God the Father.
Be awed by Jesus Christ
Be awed by Jesus, the Divine King and greatest Leader: Divine King, Jesus commands His men to take on the profoundly challenging mission to convert religious Jews and pagans, and Warns them of the evil attacks by enemies (wolves); He gives them precise orders (where to go, provisions, process); the perfection of Justice, Jesus instructs them to Harshly Condemn those who fail to convert (cursing the unrepentant by shaking off dust), confirming His severe Judgment and the coming destruction of those who reject Him, a destruction worse than the absolute destruction of Sodom by hellfire, an allusion to Hell.
Seek Chastity and pray for all enslaved to sexual sin
Realize: While some have recently declared that homosexual acts are acceptable and not sinful, Jesus warns men of the grave sinfulness of homosexual acts by referring to God’s destruction of Sodom for homosexual acts multiple times (Mt 10:15, Mt 11:23-24; Lk 10:12, Lk 17:29); these“sins that cry to Heaven” (CCC 1867) have always been condemned as mortal sins (Rom 1:24-27, 1 Cor 6:9, 1 Tim 1:10, 2 Pet 2:6, Jude 1:7).
Believe: Reflect upon Chastity and Homosexuality (CCC 2357-2359), The 6th Commandment (CCC 2331-2359), and The 9th Commandment (CCC 2514-2533).
Pray: Almighty Father, help me build the Virtue of Chastity (a part of Temperance) so I can better resist sexual sin and pray for all who are enslaved to sexual sin that they might find healing, freedom and peace in You and Your Holy Catholic Church.
Return to Jesus to receive Joy and overcome sorrow
Realize: Knowing the truth about Jesus and His Holy Catholic Church fills a man with joy; those who are frequently filled with despair, anger and fear, are in some way, missing Jesus.
Believe: Reflect upon Joy (CCC 30, 160, 301, 795, 1054, 1820-1821, 2015, 2174).
Pray: Holy Spirit, give me the Fruit of Joy so I can turn from sorrow and thank Jesus, my Lord and Savior, for blessing me to be a Catholic man.