Going Ahead of Jesus

Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Proper 24, the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:

10:1After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. . . . 16‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me’

You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 989)

AM Psalm 26, 28; PM Psalm 36, 39

Ecclus. 6:5-17; Rev. 7:9-17; Luke 10:1-16

David’s Reflections

Poet A. E. Housman wrote in his poem Reveille, “Clay lies still, but blood's a rover.” Following Jesus makes us rovers.

Yesterday’s Gospel image of the Christian life as journey unfolds further in today’s Gospel. Our journey is not simply that of following Jesus; rather, the journey also involves going ahead of him. In today’s Gospel, Jesus sends seventy ahead of him on his journey to Jerusalem. Those seventy were to minister, especially to heal and to preach the reign of God. They were to be Jesus’ representatives, exercising his authority to preach and heal and extending his invitation to turn to God.

Our journey involves both receiving and giving, both following and going before. We follow Jesus, receiving his grace, guidance, and teaching. We follow Jesus by obeying his teaching and accepting his fully lived human life as a model for our own. We follow Jesus by risking ourselves as he did and enduring rejection and misunderstanding and perhaps even sharing his death. But, we also go before him. If Jesus’ love and grace are flowing in our lives, then we bring that presence with us into every encounter, every relationship, every situation.

Many in our daily routine live without any connection to God. They are like the lost sheep and the lost coin and the lost son of Jesus’ stories in Luke 15. God is making every effort to reclaim them, to bring them into a personal relationship of trust and commitment and into community with other people of faith. (The shepherd searched and the woman swept in Luke 15.  Note Luke’s use both of masculine and feminine images for God’s seeking love.).

Would it not give you intense joy to know that your life--your attitude, something in your words, an act of mercy or care on your part—brought one or more of those people to a more open place where Jesus and the Christian faith are concerned and led to their beginning their own journey toward God? Would it not exhilarate you to know that you went before Jesus and ushered his presence into someone’s life?

We follow Christ, but, in a sense, we also precede. “Clay lies still, but blood's a rover;”

Collect of the Day:  Proper 24, the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.  (BCP, 235)

A Collect for Peace

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (BCP, 99)

For Vocation in Daily Work

Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 261)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:  Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.  (BCP, 100)

Daily Office Gospel, Luke 10:1-16

10:1After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” 6And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” 10But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11“Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” 12I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. 13‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. 16‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me’

Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer