Jesus is the Good News of God’s kingdom in person. He sends his forerunners to towns and places where he plans to go. 

The Twelve had their mission and reported about it to Jesus. He now sends out seventy-two others, two by two, for a better witness, as his forerunners. For he wants them to be at the places he is to go to before he gets there; they are to prepare the folks there for his coming.

And there is need for more forerunners. So, he tells them at the very start to ask the master of the harvest to send out more workers. It seems, then, that Jesus’ forerunners must keep in mind that the land and the harvest are God’s. And he has the last say on workers, on their tasks and wages, on all things. Hence, on him all must rely for all things. And they, lowly, should give him credit for all gains and successes (SV.EN VII:305).

So, then, we who say we follow Jesus, forerunners all, are to go on our way. This will show that we who make up the Church are not for ourselves but for others. Besides, when we are but about ourselves, we risk getting sick.

For us, then, not to be sick means to meet the sick and those in need where they are. We shall thus preach, by words and by works, that the kingdom of God is at hand for them. And they will know that we mean well, and mean peace, when they see that we come simple and lowly. With no power or privilege, forcing no one. But with urgency, as if the harvest might rot.

In other words, we will serve as an advance notice, advance Good News. And so, the poor, all of us, will get a taste beforehand of what it means to live in God’s kingdom.

Lord Jesus, grant us to be your true forerunners. Make us your advance Good News of what to have our fill of you, of your body and blood, means. Let us taste and see now with joy your new creation, that with you we lack nothing. That you spread peace and wealth like a river.

6 July 2025
14th Sunday in O.T. (C)
Is 66, 10-14c; Gal 6, 14-18; Lk 10, 1-12. 17-20