Reflection: Luke 10:17-24

Saturday of the 26^th Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 10:17-24

This Gospel opens as the disciples are returning home from a mission trip.  The seventy-two disciples are rejoicing and elated.  They said to Jesus: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”  These disciples realized that it was not their power that enabled them to work wonders.  Rather, these wonders were wrought by the power of Jesus’ name.  However, Jesus cautions the disciples not to rejoice over their “power.”  Rather they should rejoice because their names are written in heaven.

 

Power is extremely seductive!  We often hear stories of “how the mighty have fallen” because they were seduced by power of money or control or perhaps by their lack of self-esteem.  Our human reality is that we all need a healthy sense of personal power.  We need to know that we do have a voice.  We need to know that we have the power to make decisions and that we also can influence others.  Yet if we are not mindful, our need for control or power may begin to control us!  We often hear stories of corrupted individuals who were seduced by power and the fruits of power.  Today Jesus instructs his disciples (us) to rejoice not because “spirits” are subject to us.  Rather we are to rejoice because our names are written in heaven!

 

Then Jesus cautions the disciples.  He tells them that they should not rejoice over the wondrous acts they performed.  Rather they should rejoice because their names are inscribed in heaven.  Jesus’ desire for his disciples is that they rejoice in God and in God’s love for them.  Rejoicing in God is to be their primary quest and their aim.  Today may we strive to be mindful of God’s love and presence with us!  Truly, there is no greater gift!  May we rejoice in this precious gift!