Today is the Third Sunday after Trinity, when the reading from Luke’s Gospel concerns the mission of the seventy. 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.  Haste and speed are all important.  The number seventy is highly symbolic. For example, Genesis 10 suggests that there were seventy gentile nations.  

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 courier. In today’s picture from their book, Veil, Aled and Sian see the young courier delivering his message by bicycle.  

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Lord Jesus Christ, 

you sent your messengers 

to prepare the way before you. 

Send us out in your name 

to share your good news with others, 

that all may hear of your love and power; 

for you are our God, 

now and always. 

Amen. 

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Next week, the Fourth Sunday after Trinity, the reading from Luke’s Gospel is the narrative of the Good Samaritan, told by Jesus to address the question ‘Who is my neighbour?’ posed by a teacher of the law. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is neighbours. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources. 

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