Scripture Reading – Gospel of Luke 10: 1-11

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, and no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him but if not, it will return to you. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick and say to them ’The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, ‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you. ’Yet know this; the Kingdom of God is at hand.’

 

Reflection

Missionary daringness: a way of life, a start!

We always walk for something or for someone. For Montfort, walking symbolizes his “leaving for Jerusalem", his daringness. It is here that his apostolic obedience takes root. It is a difficult obedience: it comes from a wisdom that disturbs and makes people talk about it. One does not engage in such a spiritual struggle without facing head on this challenge that all pioneers know. Montfort goes toward the souls, toward his brothers and sisters, toward the poor, in order to save his fellow brothers and sisters. (Hymn 22, 1). He is driven by the love of God who sends him. Two loves coming together as a powerful force.

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According to Montfort’s Prayer for Missionaries:

What then, am I asking for? Nothing in my favor, but all for your glory.

What then, am I asking for? What you can, and I dare say, what you must grant me, as the true God that you are… What then, am I asking for? …men who will carry out your will to the full, available, always ready to obey, always ready to be on the move and to suffer with you and for you as the Apostles.