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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The Lord Jesus appointed 72

The Lord Jesus appointed 72

Published Oct 18, 2025 12:05 am  |  Updated Oct 17, 2025 04:27 pm
REFLECTIONS TODAY
Luke most likely refers the “seventy-two” disciples to the elders whom Moses assembled to assist him in leading and guiding the Israelites in their journey towards the promised land (Nm 11:16-25); they are composed of six representatives from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. To them, the Lord shares his spirit given to Moses: “I will also take some of the spirit that is on you and will confer it on them, that they may share the burden of the people with you” (Nm 11:17). So, when Jesus appoints 72 disciples to spread the Good News, they too become proclaimers of the Kingdom of God. Proclaiming the Gospel is a joint responsibility and obligation of all.
Pope Francis writes that all God’s people are agents of evangelization: “All the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization, and it would be insufficient to envisage a plan of evangelization to be carried out by professionals while the rest of the faithful would simply be passive recipients. The new evangelization calls for personal involvement on the part of each of the baptized. Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love” (Evangelii Gaudium, 120).
First Reading • 2 Tm 4:10-17b
Beloved: Demas, enamored of the present world, deserted me and went to Thessalonica, Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Luke is the only one with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is helpful to me in the ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, the papyrus rolls, and especially the parchments.
Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching.
At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed and all the Gentiles might hear it.
Gospel • Lk 10:1-9
The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’ ”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
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