Last Sunday, we heard Jesus invite us to follow him and this week we hear about the sending forth of the disciples, people focused completely on bringing in the great harvest. These faithful ones were asked to take only what is necessary for the journey so there would be no distraction from the mission to spread and share the good news. It is the very same mission we are sent forth with at every Eucharistic liturgy. We are ambassadors for Christ, bearers and proclaimers of the work of salvation. We take up this harvesting with a sense of urgency.
 
The prophet Isaiah relates that the power of the Lord rests within us as we take up this mission. As we are blessed, we bless others with the great gifts of God’s love. We offer understanding and wisdom. We offer encouragement and guidance. We offer healing and forgiveness. We offer prayer, service and model Christ in all things. As Saint Paul reminds us this day, “We boast in the cross of Christ Jesus.” We die to ourselves to live a new life in Him who saved us. We offer that life to all we meet.
 
Though we may feel disillusioned at times, the victory is assured in Christ who still today sends forth laborers to the harvest. As those disciples today, we commit ourselves to this great mission of building up the Kingdom of God. We do it as a family of faith, the body of Christ, in the world. We are sent two by two to do miraculous things in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.