A reflection on Luke 10:17–20 for Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time.
Seventy two disciples came back to Jesus full of energy and excitement. They’ve seen what God can do through them, and they want to tell him every detail. I can relate to this. When the day goes well, I want someone to hear about it. My whole family managed to get to Mass with their shoes on. I kept a promise, and I finally answered that text message I’ve been avoiding. That’s a good day for me.
Jesus lets the disciples have the pleasure of telling him what happened. Then he says their names are written in heaven. And that is their reason to rejoice.
That message is harder for me to absorb. By evening, I’m usually counting what I finished and what I left undone. Tomorrow’s to do list is already started. The house is part of it. So are the times I tried to pray, the patience I had with my children, and whatever I said I would do for the parish. Did I teach the children anything good today? When someone needed me, was I really paying attention? These aren’t bad questions to ask.
But sometimes I end up reviewing the day as if God were waiting to see whether I’d earned his love.
Jesus sent the disciples out, so their work had meaning for him. He must have been aware that there would be days when they return with amazing stories. People will refuse to listen on other days. The disciples will make mistakes, and sometimes they’ll come back with little to show for their work. Their names are still written in heaven. They still belong to God.
I need to remember that after a good day, when I’m pleased with everything I managed to do. On an interrupted day, I’m quick to call the hours wasted. I can thank God for the good I did and ask forgiveness for where I fell short. Before I begin tomorrow’s list, I want to sit with what Jesus has already said.
God knows my name. This is reason to rejoice, tonight and every night.
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