In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
If we paid attention to the weather predictions last weekend, we were warned to be ready for the first severe storm of the season. We heard about the torrential rain it would be bring and to a degree it did as we witnessed people canoeing through the flooded streets of Queens, NY, and how those rains were expected to reach us that same evening. We heard all sorts of numbers associated with this storm—the amount of rain, the speed of the wind, the countless number of homes expected to lose power and on and on we heard about numbers rising higher and higher as the predictions continued by the hour.
Let’s thank God that the reality of the storm was less severe than what was predicted. We even heard about small groups of rescue workers who headed down the coast before the storm arrived to help where help would be needed. These people went in advance of the storm. There were the “Advance Teams” for that storm. The Bible also talks about “Advance Teams” and it also talks about their numbers. At the very beginning of today’s reading, mention is made of a specific number that most of us probably missed. It says “The Lord appointed 72 others whom He sent ahead of Him in pairs to every town and every place and every village He planned to visit.” These were the people who prepared towns and villages for the arrival of Jesus.
So, why are they mentioned and why this strange number? Many scholars believe that the number 72 symbolizes all the nations of the world as spelled out in the Book of Genesis. In other words, Christianity is going to spread to the four corners of the world but even biblical scholars have differing opinions and can’t say for certain, but we can take from that that the 72 represent us. The calling of these “72 others” is the calling for all of us to live out our faith—that when people observe us or listen to us or see what we value, they will more deeply understand what the Christian faith is all about. They will understand what our ancestors and the countless millions of Christian martyrs died for since the 1st century; what Christian marriages look like; what Christian hope feels like and what trust in a loving God sounds like.
Most every week I encounter people who want to share with me their personal understanding of faith. These are people who consider themselves to be Christian but instead of sharing their understanding and love of God, they begin listing off complaints—that God “is not doing this” or “not doing that;” that God allows people to become ill or wars to rage on or blame God for every wrong in our world and in our lives. I hear questions like: “Why doesn’t God feed the hungry people of the world? Why doesn’t He provide a home for the homeless?” I hear questions like: “Why doesn’t God pick me up when I’m down? Why can’t I feel His presence when I’m wrong or lost or afraid?”
Today’s Bible reading addresses those very questions and it tells us that God has chosen to “do something.” The number 72, remember, represents us—the members of His Church. It is through us that He has chosen to “do something.” He has chosen to carry out His work in the world through the people of His Church. This idea is spelled out in the Gospels: “You did not choose Me,” said Jesus to His followers, “but I have chosen you to go and bear fruit in this world and your fruit will make the difference.” In other words, Jesus Christ is telling each one of us “I have a task that I need done in this world and I want you to do it.” That task may be to speak words of comfort or encouragement to someone who needs it; or it may be to guide the path of a child. For each of us, the task will be different.
So, today’s Bible passage is like a commandment to all of us that says when you see a need for teaching the ignorant, ask God to teach through you. When there is a need for love, let Him love through you. When there is a need for understanding, let Him offer advice through you. When a gift is needed, let Him give through you and when you see a need, let Him help through you. Because when we meet the needs of others, we are doing the work of God in this world—just like the 72 others mentioned in today’s Bible reading.
So, let’s ask ourselves: Where does God need you to be His Voice and Presence in your corner of the world? Something for all of us to consider. Where does God need you to be His Voice and Presence in your corner of the world?
Amen.