We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on July 1, 2019.
Reading After 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. He 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. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain 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. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, “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.” ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.’ The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’ (Luke 10:1-11, 16-20) Reflection Sometimes I enter homes with a placard or sign of some sort that says, “Peace be with you.” Or “Peace to all who enter.” Or something similar. It’s a nice way to be greeted. Entering a home like that makes me relax expecting that here I might find respite, peace and God’s grace. All delivered, of course, by the host. In Jesus’ instructions to those sent out in today’s reading, we hear that the visitor is to speak, “Peace to this house.” Perhaps not just speak, but actually bring peace to the home and those who live there. Not that we anticipate turmoil in every home we visit, but just that we bear respite, peace and God’s grace to our hosts. Interesting. What would you think if you answered the door bell and when you opened it the person on the porch greeted you, “Peace to this house?” Or switch it around, would you have the courage if you were the visitor to greet your host, “Peace to this house?” It would seem strange, perhaps. But, in this day and age we all need God’s peace. --Jim Bricker Prayer Lord, make us the bearers of your peace. Amen
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