The Holy Martyr Nestor (305); the Holy Martyr Capitolina and Her Slave Erotheides
Abstention from meat and foods that contain meat.
Colossians 4:10-18; Luke 10:1-15.
Read Luke 10:1-15
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s Gospel lesson shows us how the Lord organized the Church and ordered it toward mission. Everyone one knows of the 12 apostles, but today we are reminded of the 70—some manuscripts write 72—appointed apostles. The twelve are the ones who were commissioned to be the leaders and the Bishops are their successors. The 70 are the presbyters—commonly known as the priests— the ones who share in the ministry of the Church under the leadership of the Bishops.
Notice that the mission of the Church, which is the spreading of the Gospel—bringing people to Christ—is an imperative given to us by Jesus himself. This is the work of the whole Church—the bishop’s, priests, deacons and laypeople. Remember that the disciples of Jesus were sent to others after they were taught and came to know Jesus. Just like the apostles and disciples we need to first come to Jesus more deeply ourselves. This means coming to know the Lord through faithful prayer, reading and study of the Scriptures, living the Sacramental life, striving to faithfully apply in our lives Christian morals and teachings. This will make us more capable to bring Christ to others. Regardless, of our circumstance in life the Lord calls all of us to come to know him more fully and then to be faithful witnesses to others: Our children, friends, neighbours, coworkers or whoever the Lord brings into our life. Imagine if every Christian took the mission of the Church seriously? The Church would grow instead of decline. Let’s do our part and come to Jesus.
Bible References