Blog:"and greet no one along the way": Difference between revisions
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== "like lambs among wolves" == | == "like lambs among wolves" == | ||
In the literal sense, bringing no money, bag, or sandals, and greeting no one, means just that. With the purpose to focus on the mission, our commentators tell us the why. But if we extend the directive allegorically, as did the Bishop at our Ordination Mass, there's a lot going on. | |||
In the literal sense, bringing no money, bag, or sandals, and greeting no one, means just that. With the purpose to focus on the mission, our commentators tell us the why. But if we extend the directive allegorically, as did the Bishop at our Ordination Mass, there's a lot going on. | |||
Just as traveling light means not carrying the burdens of the world, not greeting strangers on the road means not carrying on with the ways of the world. I'd like to take it even further, especially for priests: on your way to saving souls do not yourself get distracted by or entangled in the world's enticements. | Jesus may be giving an additional, different type of advice to the disciples, more of a general directive beyond the literal, but no less practical than simply not to linger or waste time in elaborate greeting rituals: | ||
behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves<ref>To the Twelve, he said, | |||
“Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves." ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/10?16 Mt. 10:16]) | |||
</ref> | |||
Just as traveling light means not carrying the burdens of the world, not greeting strangers on the road means not carrying on with the ways of the world. I'd like to take it even further, especially for priests: on your way to saving souls do not yourself get distracted by or entangled in the world's enticements. Certainly the warning about "wolves" is about those in the towns and villages who will reject the Good News, as well as those they may meet along the way. We'll focus on the latter. | |||
In [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/11?25 2 Cor 11:25-27], Saint Paul recounts the dangers of apostleship, | |||
Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure. | |||
As did Paul, the Seventy-Two had the Lord's protection and the Holy Spirit to guide them, although Paul had a debt to pay: "and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name", the Lord told Ananias ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9 Acts 9:16]). Still, the whole point about Jesus, the name which means "God saves," is that we live in a fallen world. The disciples, and Paul, needed protection. | |||
As did the Twelve, the Seventy-Two "returned rejoicing, | |||
returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10?17 Lk 10:17]) | |||
"even the demons"? | |||
And that was without talking to anyone along the way. | |||
== Travelers, wayfarers, and a fallen world == | |||
Thinking allegorically, a "way" or "path" is what lies between point A and B. The early Church -- and it's so amazing, was called, "The Way", as Jesus is "the way" to salvation. | |||
The world of travelers can be rather savory. | |||
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