It’s easy to imagine the scene described in this Sunday’s Gospel. Jesus is continuing His ministry of announcing the arrival of the Kingdom of God throughout the towns of Israel, so He sends out disciples and messengers to visit the towns and prepare the way ahead of Him. He has already performed miracles of healing, exorcising demons, curing of lepers and proven to be among the wisest teachers, with an authority unlike anything they have ever heard.
It’s easy to imagine the anticipation of the 72 as they enter a new town, ready for everyone to be caught up in the excitement and good news, just as they had been, and to imagine their shock, or despair when they came to people who rejected the news.
Jesus knew what these disciples were going to face and what we are going to face. He knows that people do not always see and respond to logic and reason. He knows that they will not always choose kindness and generosity. They will not always choose faith or to trust in God’s Goodness and desires for them.
He knows our hearts and tendencies when people won’t listen to us and when they deny the truth. There are many things in our nation and world that are leading people to despair, anxiety, anger, surrender, and dismissiveness. I say this, not because of any particular issue or political event, but because of the people that I listen to and what I hear them struggling with.
Trust and have faith that the one who sent the 72 to prepare the way before Him, has also sent you. Perhaps the most important aspect of this account of the sending of the 72 is the command that He gave them to not take “no money bag, no sack, no sandals.” This was not important because of the material nature of the things; this command was not about relying on the towns to provide for their material needs. Rather, our Lord Jesus Christ was freeing them to focus on the one thing and one things alone that was worthy of their attention. They were not to worry about what they would eat or the condition of their clothing; they were not to worry about where they would find shelter, or try to figure out whose house they were supposed to stay at, or who they might offend; they were not to worry even about whether or not they were converting hearts and saving souls.
He sent them with one task and one message: proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Proclaim the truth. There is nothing else for you to worry about or be concerned with. Trust in the Father and the Holy Spirit to take care of all other things. The truth is sufficient. What He has asked of you is sufficient. Give no worry to any other thing.