The disciples return from their mission rejoicing at the success of their mission, especially because the evil spirits were subject to them. Jesus, too, shares in their rejoicing, as indeed the preaching of the Good News marks the destruction of Satan’s hold on human beings. Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit, Jesus praises the Father for revealing the mysteries of his Kingdom to the “childlike”—humble and simple folks like his disciples, including the Twelve.

Moreover, the disciples also share Jesus’ power. Still, the more important grace lies not in their possession of power, but in the fact that their “names are written in heaven” (v 20), that is, they have a place reserved for them in the Father’s Kingdom. This is the same as having their names inscribed in the “Book of Life” which guarantees them eternal reward. St. Francis of Assisi is known not only for his embrace of Lady Poverty but also for his childlike spirit that rejoices in God’s creation and in ordinary events of life. His Canticles of Creatures starts with words that echo Jesus’ praise of the Father:

“Praised be you, my Lord!”—for Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Brother Wind, Sister Water, Sister Mother Earth— even Sister Bodily Death. The canticle is the inspiration of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’—on care for our common home. May we be aware of God’s blessings and turn to him with songs of praise.

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing, and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you.

Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”