＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Ｎehemiah 8: 1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12*

   (...) Ezra brought the Law before the assembly,

both men and women and all the children who could understand what was being read. It was the first day of the seventh month.   Ezra read the book before all of them from early morning until midday in the square facing the Water Gate; and all who heard were attentive to the Book of the Law.

Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was in a higher place; and when he opened it, all the people stood. Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God; and all the people lifted up their hands and answered, “Amen! Amen!” And they bowed their heads to the ground.

Then Ezra, the teacher of the Law, said to the people, “This day is dedicated to Yahweh, your God, so do not be sad or weep.” He said this because all wept when they heard the reading of the Law.   Then he said to them, “Go and eat rich foods, drink sweet wine and share with him who has nothing prepared.

This day is dedicated to the Lord, so do not be sad. The joy of Yahweh is our strength.”

 

 Ps 19 The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Luke 10: 1-12

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two other disciples and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place, where he himself was to go.  And he said to them, “The har­vest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

So you must ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers to his harvest.  Courage! I am sending you like lambs among wolves.  Set off without purse or bag or sandals; and do not stop at the homes of those you know.

 Whatever house you enter, first bless them saying: ‘Peace to this house.’  If a friend of peace lives there, the peace shall rest upon that person. But if not, the blessing will return to you.  Stay in that house eating and drinking at their table, for the worker deserves to be paid. Do not move from house to house.

 When they welcome you in any town, eat what they offer you. Heal the sick who are there and say to them: ‘The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’ But in any town where you are not welcome, go to the marketplace and proclaim:  

 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off and leave with you. But know for a certainty that the kingdom of God has drawn near to you.’ I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than for this town.

 

Reflection gospel：

“THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW.”

The Church, God’s family, was found not only to take care of God’s flock by dispensing the sacraments to nourish it, to forgive, to heal, but also to attract more to be part of the flock. It is not only a community that provides attention to its members, but concerns herself as well of the will-being of non-members. Hence, she reaches out and opens her doors ready with a warm welcome to everyone who desires to be part of her.

We call this mission. And since WE are the CHURCH, to do mission is our shared call. Each one of us is entrusted with the task to bring the world to Christ and then guide the world to be part of Christ’s family. The gospel today outlines for us how we can undertake the work of mission: pray for the mission and for missionaries, become ambassadors of peace, be instruments of healing, and preach the Kingdom.

May through our combined efforts many will come to realize what a great blessing it is to become part of the family of God.