Thoughts for the Day

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 labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers 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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

You may have noticed if you've ever received an ordinary email from me (or in the past a letter) that I finish with the word "Blessings" rather than "Regards" or something more formal like "Yours faithfully". It's my way of sending a Christian blessing to the person who receives it.

When Jesus sends out 70 (or 72 in some accounts) to witness to his work we can see from today's reading that he instructs his disciples on how to begin their ministry, emphasising the importance of greeting others with a blessing of peace. It’s not just a casual greeting but an invitation for the peace of God to enter into the lives of the people they meet. They are not just visitors, but they are also bearers of God’s message. The words “Peace to this house” carry a deep meaning. "Peace" in biblical terms signifies wholeness, completeness, and well-being, which are all things God wants for us to experience.

Perhaps it's time to think about the importance of our greetings - the "Hi!" and "Bye!" - and the effects they can have on others. Do we bring a spirit of love and peace to the situations and the various people we encounter whether friends, family, or strangers? It's so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives, that we can overlook the people along the way. But this reading is a reminder that every encounter with another person is an opportunity to extend a blessing in some way or other. In a world that often feels divided and tense, we should strive to be those who build bridges of peace, and counter the negativity that exists in our world. This can be as simple as being kind during tough conversations or offering empathy to those who are struggling.

Lord Jesus Christ,
in a world where people barely look up
from their phones,
and often avoid eye contact,
enable us to be more open to others.
Help us to greet others with a smile
and to leave them having expressed
a blessing upon them in some way.
Amen.