The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.
Lk.10:1,2
Jesus commissions a large outreach to prepare places he is going to visit. The Church is on the move.
Today is Saint Patrick's Day and the Church focuses on mission to proclaim the Word of God. Even by today's standards a missionary outreach involving seventy two participants is large. In those times it was massive. Their job was to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God was near.
The Church has always been missionary. This commission has never been taken off us. When it stops being exercised the Church dies. When it is exercised we flourish. I've seen this in our own parish as it hosts Alpha Courses.
It's time for another Alpha Course I'd say. The harvest is rich.
Jesus, prepare the way for us as we prepare the way for you. You are Lord of the Harvest. Send us labourers for another Alpha Course to get underway this year in our parish.
Saint Philip Neri, please pray for us.
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