St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Today’s Gospel presents us with a powerful and beautiful scene: Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place He intended to visit. It’s a moment of commissioning—a mission of peace, simplicity, and the Gospel.

Jesus doesn’t just send the Twelve Apostles—He sends seventy-two others. This number is symbolic, representing the whole world (based on the nations listed in Genesis 10). In other words, mission is not just for priests, bishops, or religious—it is for every baptized person.

Like those disciples, we are called to be missionaries in our homes, schools, offices, and communities. We are sent with a message, not of judgment or condemnation, but of peace and the nearness of God’s kingdom.

Jesus tells them not to carry money bags or sandals, and not to move from house to house. Why?

Because the Gospel is not about material comforts or clever strategies—it’s about trusting in God, living simply, and sharing His message authentically.

Many of us worry that we’re not good enough to share our faith. But Jesus didn’t ask the disciples to be experts—He just asked them to be faithful and obedient.

Let us remember today that we are all called—young and old, clergy and lay, men and women—to go out into the world as disciples of peace. Not by our own power, but by the Spirit of God. Not seeking success, but seeking faithfulness.

Let us bring the peace of Christ into our homes, our workplaces, and our communities.

“The harvest is rich, but the laborers are few.”

Let us be among those few—and go joyfully, for the Lord walks with us.