Today Liverpool Cathedral is keeping the Feast of Luke the Evangelist. The Gospel reading is Luke’s account of Jesus appointing seventy apostles to go ahead of him. All three Synoptic Gospels tell of Jesus sending the twelve disciples on a missionary journey. Luke alone among the Synoptic Gospels tells of the mission of the seventy. Quite similar instructions are given to both groups. They are to carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and to greet no one on the road. The number seventy is highly symbolic. For example, Genesis 10 suggests that there were seventy gentile nations. Here Luke is already setting the ground for his second volume: The Acts of the Apostles.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of messenger. In today’s picture from their book, Veil, Aled and Sian see the young messenger delivering his message by bicycle.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you called and inspired Luke
to proclaim the good news of
your sacrificial death, glorious resurrection
and life-giving ascension to all nations.
Call and inspire us as your messengers
to proclaim your gospel of inclusivity to all;
for your reign knows no boundaries.
Amen.
Next week, the Last Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Matthew’s Gospel concludes the final round of conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities before the Passion. The image to help us prepare for this theme is feeling loved.You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity – Exploring the Sunday Gospel