Today's Gospel from St. Luke is especially challenging for our day and age, obsessed as it is with the illusion of being number one, the very best, dominant in every possible way.
The 72 disciples return from the mission Jesus sent them on, bursting with energy: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name." At first Jesus seems to applaud them: "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky." Good for you! You're the best! You're number one!
Then comes the clincher: "Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
The disciples weren't wrong about the good they had accomplished. But Jesus took the opportunity to teach them something greater than being first, greater than being the best, far greater than dominating anyone, even Satan. Don't brag. Don't blow your own horn. Be excited about being members of heaven rather than impressed with anything you've done.
Jesus tells his own disciples: it's not about them, and it never will be. It's not about us either. Mysteriously, therein lies our greatest hope. Such humility doesn't come easily. May God help us all.
**Chapters**
0:00 Welcome | Fr. Jim Marchionda from Chicago
0:18 The Illusion of Being Number One
0:48 The Return of the 72: "Even the Demons Are Subject to Us"
1:14 Jesus Seems to Applaud: "I Have Observed Satan Fall"
1:42 The Clincher: "Rejoice Because Your Names Are Written in Heaven"
2:24 Something Greater Than Being First
3:10 Don't Blow Your Own Horn
3:41 It's Not About Us – and That Is Our Hope
**Today's reflection**
- Where am I tempted to measure my worth by being first, best, or better than others?
- Can I rejoice today simply because my name is written in heaven, apart from anything I have accomplished?
**Today's readings:** Luke 10:17-24
#AWordOfHope #DailyGospel #Humility #CatholicReflection #GospelOfLuke #Dominicans