14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, C July 3, 2022
Fr. Alexander Albert St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette
If, as I claimed last week, freedom is found in commitment and true freedom found in the right kind of commitments, then how do we find that right commitment? What should expect to see in the freeing sacrifice of freedom that marks the Christian way of life? The same kind of things we see in these seventy-two disciples.
The first thing is that they travel in pairs, rather than alone. Why? Wouldn’t it be more efficient to send one person to each town and so cover double the territory? It would, except that then they wouldn’t be able to proclaim the gospel as well. Jesus tells them to say “the Kingdom of God is at hand for you.” He doesn’t tell them “this is the verse that saves” or “hear the message that you need.” No, it is a kingdom, which by definition involves a community of people… a society.
The good news of the Gospel is not just a story or an important teaching, it is a way of life… one that shows in the relationships of believers. Elsewhere in the gospel, Jesus makes it clear that part of what makes it possible for people to believe is the unity of believers. But if a lone messenger shows up and proclaims the good news, they cannot really show their unity. This is why Jesus sends them two-by-two, so that the relationship between them can actually manifest the Gospel over and above their words or even the miracles they do.
If you would know the kind of freedom that comes from committed Christian living, then that commitment must include other people… specifically other believers. It is fine to have friends and loved ones who are not Catholic, but you need community, union with other believing, practicing Catholics if you want the fullness of joy that is being offered. Even the great saints known for living alone in the desert actually had extended periods of time in community with other monks, nuns, or hermits in order to get to the point where they could be alone.
This is why I will keep saying: find a group of Catholics to share your faith with: Come Lord Jesus bible studies, other families in Catechism classes, Called and Gifted, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Light of the World Retreat ministry, our new door-to-door evangelization group, the book group led by Haden, or perhaps something we don’t have yet. If you don’t know what I mean when I say “joy of the Gospel,” it might be because you haven’t yet invested in the kingdom as a communion of the faithful.
The second thing we can learn from this disciples is their poverty. I don’t mean going hungry and sleeping outside. I mean trusting in God rather than possessions. The fact is that if we own things, we will start trusting in those things. Jesus tells these disciples to leave everything behind and to trust in God providing for them through the generosity of others. This doesn’t mean all seventy-two of them never own anything again. But it does mean they learn to see past the illusion of ownership.
And this cuts two ways. On the one hand, every Catholic should try to live as simply as possible. I’ve only met a few people in my life who really live poverty of spirit – I’m not counting myself, I’ve got work to do in that area. Nonetheless, the freedom of Gospel commitment is a commitment to let go of things, to avoid luxury, to trust in providence rather than dollars. Every Catholic should continually be looking to take steps towards greater detachment and simplicity. On the other hand, these disciples survive on the generosity of others. Even if you aren’t literally walking around poor and barefoot, you can grow in poverty of spirit by your generosity and hospitality. I’ll admit, I’m pretty proud of this parish’s response to caring for the needy, but it doesn’t mean that every one of us is as generous as we ought to be.
As a thought experiment, pick your most valuable possession or your most favorite. Imagine a beggar asking for it. Would you give it? Imagine a scenario where giving it to someone would save that person’s life. Would you give it? Imagine if Jesus stood physically in front of you and asked you to get rid of it. Would you do it then? Real poverty of spirit would say yes to the last two, and probably the first one as well. Don’t fret if you’re not there, but do start working towards it. I don’t mean giving your old clothes to charity… that’s just throwing stuff away while making yourself feel good about it – it’s not bad, but it’s not exactly heroic either. I mean giving away things you like having, things you often use but don’t really need… or even things you think you need.
The disciples who embrace this poverty in the gospel do not go hungry. They do miracles and battle demons without being harmed. How? In part, because they lived faith through real poverty. That faith powered their acts and protected their souls. Pray for the grace to follow the same principle, but in line with the circumstances and responsibilities of your particular place in life. Then act on it.
Finally, the last thing to learn from these disciples is what to do with rejection. Now, this scene involves specific historical circumstances. These men are preaching to towns full of Israelites who should know the prophecies and scripture and ought to be ready to receive the messiah. When they reject these messengers and their miracles, they are guilty because they ought to know better. That is not the case for many of the people we encounter. We ought to show more patience because of spiritual ignorance and confusion in our culture.
Still, there is something to take away from this: that we should expect rejection and that we shouldn’t lose peace over it. “Let your peace return to you” is Jesus’ way of saying don’t invest your own mental well-being in the behavior of others. There are people we invest in in that way – trusted friends and believers – but we cannot do that with everyone. Stop being surprised and anxious at hypocritical priests and politicians. Stop following news of things you can’t influence. And when you defend the Church’s teaching, when you invite someone to come to Church, when you speak of your love of Jesus, know that some people will reject you. Do it anyway. Do it as sincerely, skillfully, and carefully as you can. But then let it be.
Because that’s part of the freedom of being committed to Jesus Christ. It’s His Gospel. He’s in charge, he’s the judge, he’s the perfect preacher. He was rejected, hated, and killed. And he let it happen without retaliation or worry. Then he rose from the dead. So will you. Whether you make a thousand converts or none, your name is written heaven so long as you keep faith and keep trying. Everything else is up to the God who loves you. Knowing that… really knowing it – that is peace.