Luke 10:1-7 NRSVue

¹After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. ²He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. ³Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. ⁴Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. ⁵Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ ⁶And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. ⁷Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Jesus' advice to travel light applies to all of us. How many unneeded and unused purses, bags, sandals and other stuff clutter my drawers? My friend John, flying to his mission in Zimbabwe, can fit all he carries into his cabin luggage. Confiscation or theft are not a worry to him. I admire and envy him.

Reflection
Lord, make me content with you as my baggage.

Reflection
The disciples are sent, not to announce their own messages, to proclaim their insights or to tell how they see things; they go with a simple message of peace that is never lost.

Reflection
Jesus cautioned the seventy-two against being too selective and choosy; they are to announce God’s ways where they find themselves. I need not wait for a better time or more suitable conditions but think of how I might announce the gospel where I am.