14C22.    Isaiah 66:10-14c.     The Hebrews had recently returned to Jerusalem from captivity.  The caring nature of the Lord Yahweh is like a mother’s maternal breasts abundantly feeding her little ones who were totally dependent upon God, since they had nothing of their own.  The Lord promises, “Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river.”  “The Lord’s power shall be known to his servants.”

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20.  “The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.”  Jesus was organizing a preparation for his visits so that the results of his visits would be maximized.  “Ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”  “I am sending you like lambs among wolves.”  Jesus is warning his preparation team that in their innocence that must be on guard against the devil.  They are not to go materially, but spiritually prepared.  The peace that they give requires that the residents are at peace with God and not with the devil, that is to say “a peaceful person lives there.”  Jesus tells them,“Eat and drink what is offered to you,” for you deserve to be supported materially in exchange for the spiritual goods you bring. Jesus is saying that they are agents of God.  In rejecting them, they are rejecting God and so merit the punishment of that rejection.  “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  Our joy must not be in power or gifts we have received but in our union with our Lord.

Galatians 6:14-18.  Paul writes, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  To be united to the crucified Savior means to be united to a Jesus who gives all in love so that we may be a people who are love as he is love.   We give ourselves over to a love and live in a love that we have received from Jesus.