Saturday, of the 26th
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. Today Jesus instructs us to rejoice not because we
are powerful. Rather we are to rejoice because our names are written in
heaven.
Jesus wants us to rejoice
in God and in God’s love for us. Rejoicing in God is to be our primary
quest and aim. Today may we strive to be mindful of God’s love and
presence with us. May we rejoice in this
precious gift!
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