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Gospel Reading for October 03, 2026 – Luke 10: 17-24
GREAT BLESSING
The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.
”At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
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If we are given special gifts that make the devil subject to us, or the power to remain safe in the midst of extreme danger, it is not something to brag about. This is precisely because these gifts are given to us for the propagation of the Kingdom of God and for the continuing work of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Most of the apostles were simple fisherfolk. They were unlike the scribes and Pharisees. Yet, God revealed to them through Jesus truths that were given only to a few chosen ones. But the greatest blessing they ever received as disciples was discovering who Jesus was and having the opportunity to be with Him for three years.
Three years with the Son of God! Three years of hearing nothing but wisdom! Three years of living a life the way the Giver of Life intended it!
What a GREAT BLESSING indeed!
Lord Jesus, help us recognize the gifts You have given us that are meant to be placed in the service of God’s Kingdom, and subsequently offer them to the Church. Amen.
