[ Today's Readings ]
Sometimes it is difficult to proclaim the good news. Sometimes even those who believe become enamored of the present world and desert us. We need to be like Paul, willing to preach the good news in season and out of season. We need to be like Luke (and Timothy and Mark) who stick with him even when he isn't popular. Even if no one appears at our defence our first priority must be that "the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it". The LORD will stand by us and give us strength to make this possible.
The situation is tough because the laborers are indeed few. It becomes even more tough when we can't rely even on our fellow laborers. Even they can become enamored of the world. But we do not need to let that be our focus. The harvest is abundant and the master of the harvest is able to provide. We can trust his providence even though we are lambs among wolves. We can trust him even if we carry no moneybag or sandals. By relying on God's providence we avoid becoming enamored of the world ourselves. We greet no one along the way and are therefore undistracted. We arrive at the destination God intends. We stay single-mindedly where he sends us and we don't let the food service or any other condition distract us. The mission comes first.
The world, after all, desperately needs the good news. It doesn't have time for the divisions and distractions that can slow us down.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’
This is what the friends of God do. And so let's not forget that this begins because God calls us friends (see John 15:15).
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
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