Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings

“As A Mother Comforts Her Child, So Will I Comfort You”

In our readings this Sunday, we find great Joy in the redemptive love of God and in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. We boast of our joy, even in our suffering.

In our first reading (Isaiah 66:10-14), God spoke through the prophet Isaiah as the Jewish people were returning to rebuild Jerusalem after years of captivity in Babylon. As they found their city and temple in ruins, God promised that the day would come when their beloved Jerusalem would be as a nursing mother, tenderly caring for her children. That would be a time of great joy. “For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river.”

In our Epistle reading (Galatians 6:14-18), we hear the conclusion of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. In it, Paul reminded his beloved community once again that it is through the glory of the cross of Jesus that we are saved, and worldly issues are of no importance. His boast is in the sufferings and scars of his apostolic labors. His concern (and ours) is the new creation in Jesus. Paul writes, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In our Gospel reading (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20), Jesus sent seventy two disciples out to the towns and countryside in advance of His visit to preach the Good News. He gave them detailed instructions as to what and what not to bring. Their way would not be an easy one as Jesus told them, ”Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” They returned overjoyed at the wonders they were able to do in the name of Jesus.

For the Israelites, restoration to their homeland was a joyous and wondrous thing. For we Christians, restoration to our "new creation" in Christ is even more joyous and wondrous. Just as Jesus sent His seventy-two out into the world to preach and to heal, so does He send us. May we take to heart His instructions to His disciples. We too are like lambs sent among wolves. We too should feel the urgency of the mission, not burdened down by the trappings of this world. And just as they returned rejoicing for what God had accomplished through them, so may we reflect that same joy as we live out our redemption.

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm