THE JOYFUL RETURN (LK 10:17-24)
Prayer:
O Jesus, I will serve you and I will rejoice with you.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus with his 72 disciples, all filled with joy.
Context:
In this scene, Jesus speaks of the great blessings when the disciples fulfill their mission. Satan falls. The disciples gain eternal life. Seeing all of this, Jesus sings a hymn of praise. The disciples are more blessed than kings and prophets. This is an astounding list of rewards for being a disciple.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
The seventy two returned in joy, saying “Lord, the devils are subject to us in your name.” Jesus said, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightening from the heavens. I have given you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and upon all the power of the enemy and nothing shall hurt you. Yet, do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the book of heaven.” In that hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent and you have revealed them to the little ones. Yes, Father, you have graciously willed it so. Everything has been given over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father and no one knows the Father except the Son – and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to his disciples he said, “Blessed are the eyes which see what you see. I say to you that many prophets and kings have desired to see and have not seen them, and to hear what you have heard and not heard them.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- The disciples’ joy is true. The devils have been subject to them. Satan has fallen from heaven at their commands.
- This dignity is great, but even greater is having their name in the Book of Life and living forever in heaven.
- Jesus, too, rejoices. These disciples will preach the Kingdom to all the world, even when he is no longer with them.
- These disciples experience divine revelation. They are seeing and hearing the mysteries of the Kingdom.
- The fullness of revelation is to know Jesus and the heavenly Father who sent him. Blessed are their eyes and ears.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- Jesus, teach me to rejoice. Teach me to see all the blessings of heaven.
- Place in my soul a love for my heavenly home. That is my only goal – to live with you forever.
- O Jesus, rejoice in me and in my efforts to spread your Kingdom.
- To know you, Jesus, and to know the heavenly Father, is your greatest gift to me.
- Blest are my eyes to see you. Blest are my ears to hear the gospel message. You have blessed me, Jesus.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will rejoice today in the riches of my Catholic faith.
+ I will think about my heavenly home.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
Rejoice, instead, that your names are written in the Book of Heaven.