FIRST READING: Isaiah 66: 10-14. “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice with her in joy, all you who mourn over her; that you may suck and be satisfied with her consoling breasts; that you may drink deeply with delight from the abundance of her glory.” For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream, and you shall suck, you shall be carried upon her hip, and dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice, your bones shall flourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants.”
SECOND READING: Galatians 6:14-18. Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
GOSPEL: Luke 10: 1-9. Short Form. The Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him, but if not, it shall return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”
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Comfort will only come to the people if all are kept in high esteem and respected for their human dignity. The prophet Isaiah clearly saw that the returned exiles of Israel will be rid of their depression and dejection (for that’s what seeing their beloved capital in ruins brought upon them) only if they live in a socio-political structure which oppresses no-one but, on the contrary, respects everyone’s individuality, freedom and dignity.
Paul comprehends his new being in Christ as in opposition to the logic and philosophy of the world. The world does not accept statelessness or lack of lords and powers; it does not accept a social structure where everyone is equal. For this reason, like Jesus, Paul sees himself and the Christian community as a new and opposing order of social and political relationships.
Such relationships are bonded and strengthened through the inspiration and work of Jesus. His disciples would carry no ‘good news’ if it wasn’t for his vision for humankind. Their proclamation is one of freedom, a freedom rooted in justice and peace for all.
