Day 8 of 8. Called to the Harvest

Did anyone hear a missionary theme in this past Sunday's Gospel from Luke 10:1-9?   It was hard for us to miss.

At that time the Lord 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.'"

There are two points that grabbed my attention.   First, the pairs were sent ahead of him to places his intended to visit.   Missionaries are called to go ahead of Christ, to prepare the way and hearts.   Missionaries are called to be like John the Baptist, lowering the mountains, raising the valleys, and straightening the paths.   By sharing our stories we can invite others to encounter the love of God.   We are Christians, not because we are perfect or stronger than others, but because we are broken,  weak, and in need of a Savior.   Sharing Christ's love with others cannot be done from a personal self-reliant strength, but from personal weakness and vulnerability.   Let me show you how much the Lord loves you, because look how much He is able to love even this part of my life!   And this then leads to the second point...  our message.   "The kingdom of God is at hand for you."   For YOU.   Did you hear that, or read that?  The kingdom of God is at had FOR YOU.   It is so easy to believe God that God love unconditionally.   It is easier to tell others that Jesus loves them or to theologically wrestle with God's unconditional love as an academic exercise.   Maybe it is because we know our own closets and brokenness, but for so many of us it is harder to accept His love for ourselves.   But if you want to know the depth of Christ's love for you, pray for courage and let Him in.

Maria's sister, Katie, is currently in Europe and was able to hear Pope Francis give his reflection during the angelus on Sunday, July 3.   It kinda ties in a little.  (Insert sarcastic emoji.)  Check it out... Pope Francis' Angelus on July 3

Speaking of traveling in Europe.   Please pray for my parents, John and Marlene Gehl.   I drove them to the Toronto Airport yesterday.   They are flying to Spain to spend the next 42 days walking the 500 miles of the Camino with only a backpack each!   What is it about us Gehls and being a little crazy?!  Check out their blog.   Our Crazy Camino.   They are looking for intentions to pray for each day.   So please leave a comment on their blog if you have anything and leave them a line of encouragement!

John and Marlene Gehl about to leave for the Toronto Airport and the Camino!

We have been so excited and blessed to share our story of God's love and grace with you through all of last week!   Simply put, that is what it means to be missionary.   Spread the seeds of your story of God's love and let God take control of where they take root.   Well we are humble to announce that the Western New York Catholic will include a full page article during the month of July.   Check out page 9.   For the Greater Glory of God!