Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Today’s Gospel reading continues from last week’s, with Jesus having set out resolutely towards Jerusalem and all that awaits him there, now wanting to spread the good news of the kingdom of God on earth to as many places and people as possible. He sends out seventy people in pairs to prepare the way for him, giving them authority to represent him in advance of his arrival, and they later return to him, overjoyed with the experience of having put that authority to good use.
The seventy have been privileged to bring the kingdom of God close to those whom they have encountered, whether these have welcomed them or not. They have brought gifts of peace and healing to those who were willing and able to receive them, and they have received hospitality in return. There has been a sharing of life in the kingdom, and God’s will has been done on earth as it is in heaven.
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