Posted by The WORD in other words (2022) by Fr Narciso Cellan SVD – Univeristy of San Carlos, Cebu City
Feast of Saint Luke, the Evangelist – October 18
In 2002, I had my first solo visit and overnight stay in an African village on the Simanjiro plains somewhere in Tanzania. A village catechist came to the parish house to accompany me on a four-hour drive through semi-arid lands and seasonal rivers.
Upon reaching the village, I felt elated to be greeted by everyone with smiles and handshakes. The hospitality shown to me was amazing. After offering me some food and drink, they wasted no time telling me their stories and their excitement of having a priest around. It had been more than two years since the last time a priest visited their village and celebrated the Eucharist with them.
Today’s Gospel tells us of Jesus sending out 72 disciples. Bible scholars argued that, although mission to the gentiles (non-Israelites) started after Easter, the Lord’s sending of the 72 to different corners of Israel symbolized and underlined the post-Easter mission direction beyond Israel’s borders. This embodies the inclusive character and the universal scope of Christian mission.
Equally important to note is the fact that Jesus is sending the 72 disciples in pairs. Two possible reasons for this: support system and validation of faith testimony. Paired discipleship is anchored on the principles of accompaniment and witnessing —important elements to consider because, as Jesus pointed out in the Gospel, we are being sent as lambs among wolves.
The 72 disciples are nameless in the Gospel. Evangelist Luke gave us no background information about them, no mention of their age, gender, socio-economic standing, education, marital status, and even race. By being anonymous, therefore, the 72 take on a universal identity and an ordinary persona, in effect representing any of us.
We are the modern 72 disciples, being called and sent out by Jesus to be missionaries wherever we are in the world.
