HOMILY FOR THE 14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C
THEME: LESSONS FROM THE SEVENTY TWO
BY: Fr Livinus C. Igbodekwe
HOMILY FOR SUNDAY JULY 3 2022
Jesus Christ is not only interested in achieving His destiny of dying on a cross. He’s as well passionate about leaving a lasting ministry. He needs to extend the gospel of the Kingdom before time closes in on Him. He, therefore, chooses and sends 72 disciples to go to the territories He has intention of going into. So, the 72 have two purposes of Jesus to achieve:
To reach out and to reach in. By ‘reaching out’, the reduce the ministry burden of Jesus. And by ‘reaching in’ they will realize the hidden powers within them: their gifts and potentials. I think there are lessons the Church of today can glean from the mission of the 72:
1. The Number 72: it is scriptural for Jesus to choose just 72, for Moses choose 70 elders (to which 2 were added by God) upon whom he diffused his prophetic spirit (Num 11:24-29). The Jewish Sanhedrin comprised of 70 judges in addition to 1 presiding priest. So, this number is symbolic of leadership and authority. Jesus gives the 72 authority over unclean spirits and diseases.
2. Two by Two: this is a pastoral strategy for effectiveness. We do say “two good heads are better than one.” Eccl 4:9 attests, “two are better than one.” And it is in the presence of two witnesses shall every matter be established (2 Cor 13:1). “Where two or more are gathered in my name there I am in their midst” (Matt 18:20). Mutual encouragement and fraternity are important for sustaining the apostolic ministry. This is because the apostle/disciple is a lamb in the midst of wolves. So there shall surely be hostility, persecutions, abrasions, etc. Yet by the hands of two, held together in prayer and exhortation, no opposition can stop their mission.
3. Words of Peace: the words of a preacher are seasoned with peace – peace for the people of God. He must not himself be hostile to the people. He must be a man of peace – never quarrels; never retaliates; never curses. His peace, anyway, is not for everybody. people will only launch into that peace by either spiritual or physical hospitality. Spiritual – by accepting their message of peace with God in their hearts. Physical – by keeping an open house and making provisions for the upkeep of the messengers of peace. Some, however, will not accept their peace. Therefore, they shall leave a testimony of their refusal at the gates of that city or village by dusting off the sands from their sandals there, which will serve as evidence for their impending judgment.
4. The Devil Submitted: it is because they did not come in their own name that the devil submitted. Had they come in their own names, the devil could have asked them, “Who are you?” We only exercise authority over devils and diseases in Christ’s name. So, we are not the healers or the exorcists. Christ is.
5. Their Names Were Written in Heaven: this is the height of the evangelical apostolate. After evangelizing, will the name of the evangelist be written in heaven? It is only “Heaven at last” that validates and crowns the whole mission for souls. Such a one will be considered wise because he/she followed the commands of the Master to the letters. Try and be that wise steward of the Gospel of Peace!
Happy Sunday!
