Friar’s Corner: Jesus sent 72 lambs among the wolves
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR
Isaiah 66:10-14c; Ps 66:1-7, 16, 20; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
May you and your families have a very safe and blessed 4th of July. Also, please pray a daily Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the conversion and safety of Our Nation and the conversion of all the terrorists. The chaplet only takes 5 minutes. Thank you in Jesus Holy Name.
In the scriptures readings this Sunday, we find Jesus gathering and appointing leadership for his new kingdom. He had chosen apostles to have key leadership responsibilities. From his other followers, he appointed 72. He sent them out two by two, to announce his visit to towns and villages. In those days there were few communication methods. The disciples were Jesus’ press agents. They were sent as lambs among wolves. Do we see lots of wolves around these days? In the cities, after being welcomed the disciples were to eat what was set before them and cure the sick there.
The disciples were amazed at what happened as they went from place to place. Healings took place, demons were driven out and the people got excited. Jesus gave them some of his power over demon/wolves. Jesus told the disciples not to rejoice in the power but to rejoice that their names were written in heaven.
Last week I spoke about “burning bushes.” In Exodus 3:2-6, Moses saw a bush in the desert, which was burning yet not consumed by the flames. It was God’s power of love for his children on earth. I also spoke about having a place in our homes, a home chapel, where daily we can spend some quiet time with Jesus, away from the TV. There we read some gospel stories about Jesus and his kingdom power. Then we pray about what we read and do a little study about our Catholic Faith. We could read a little in the “United Sates Catholic Catechism for Adults.” As we spent this quiet time with Jesus, our bush, we ourselves, get filled up with more divine power and burn brighter with his love.
The Lord woke me up early last Thursday. He was telling me about the fountain of living water (John 4:10,14, and Revelation 22:1-2) flowing from his heart of love and mercy for us, especially during this Holy Year of Divine Mercy. When we pray, and as we visit Jesus in our church tabernacle, we are being filled up with more living water and radiated with more of his love. As we leave our “home chapel” or local parish church, we are empowered “as lambs among wolves.” We shall see amazing things happen in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, cities, states, government and the world. Please, Jesus, we need much more of your power.
So in prayer with Jesus, and our hearts on fire with more of his love, we bring the radiance of his love wherever we go. “Little burning bushes,” let us pray more and go forth with new confidence that God’s kingdom will come more fully because we are helping Jesus save his sheep. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy!
Prayerful Blessings,
+ Fr. Bob Hilz
(© 2016 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)
