The Bible is filled with poetry, especially the Psalms, which are poetic prayers. Isaiah today is a prime example of a prophet who captures our attention by the persuasive power and authority of poetic speech. Poets can be bold as they try to get our attention and move us from fixed positions to new insights and experiences. That’s what Isaiah does for us today as he uses female imagery to convey his message of hope.
First, Isaiah applies maternal images to personify Jerusalem. In the culture of the day women were practically non-beings, with no voice or authority. Earlier in Isaiah (“First Isaiah”) Jerusalem, the woman, was scorned as a sinner and apostate (3:25-26). But now, in the final chapter of what is called “Third Isaiah,” Jerusalem has given birth to a child (66:7) and the nation is reborn. The newborn nation is lovingly nursed and cared for by her mother Jerusalem, the way a mother nurses her child. The people are promised delight and plenty from “the milk of her abundance.”
Isaiah expresses his poetic imagination further. Jerusalem, the mother city, is compared to God who extends a mother’s care for the newly born and reborn nation. “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you, in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.” This part of Isaiah was written after the people had returned from exile. The nation is not yet rebuilt and so the prophet speaks this hope to them. God is extending a tender mother’s care to the people, giving them hope to sustain them “in the meanwhile.”
Coming out of grief is not easy — and it usually takes a long time. Isaiah assures those who grieve for what is no more, that God’s renewing power is there for them. This power is not exhibited through might, but in a way we and a recovering people would have need — from a nursing mother. God is the Father of Israel and when the people need baby food in their frailty, God is also their Mother.
There are times we need God to be strong for us, especially when we must face stubborn opposition such as: a resistant City Hall; a community’s opposition to low income housing; our family’s prejudice; relentless pro-abortion voices; inhuman prison policies, etc. At these times we need God to “have our backs” and grace us with a very firm right hand.
At other times, especially after the death of a loved one; collapse of a project; loss of a job; the sickness of a child, etc, we need the God of consolation and tenderness Isaiah describes for us today. At these times we yearn to be the way Psalm 131 describes a trusting, quieted infant, “Like a weaned child rests against its mother.”
There are parallels to today’s gospel discourse in Mark and Matthew, but in those accounts, 12 missionaries are sent out. In Luke there are 72. The number has biblical echoes. In Genesis 10 there are 72 people in the whole world. Using the same number, Luke is suggesting that Jesus intends the whole world to receive his message. The harvest is rich — it was then and it is now. These “harvesters” are to pray, uniting their prayer to that of Jesus’ prayer, so that others will join them in their labors.
While we pray for more priests, deacons and religious vocations at this Eucharist, we also give thanks for the lay laborers who have joined us in the fields of God’s service. We have been praying for vocations for years. so let’s not close our eyes to the ways those prayers have been answered and give thanks this day.
There is an urgency in Jesus’ instructions to his missionaries. Hence, the guidelines he gives them: no extra baggage, travel light and, because these middle easterners might be delayed by the usual requirements of courtesy and hospitality, “greet no one along the way” — time is short.
These preachers have a simple and urgent message to convey, “The kingdom of God is at hand for you.” God is close to people and peace is the sign of God’s presence. Some will welcome this good news, others will not. The valuables we carry in our service to the Lord don’t consist of things. Instead, we are bearers of peace when people are burdened by grief, fear, anxiety, alienation and desperation. Peace, “shalom,” is the gift the Messiah was to bring and so Jesus’ gift to his disciples is a peace they are to take to those who need it.
Jesus instructs his disciples to take a minimum of extras. We understand that he doesn’t want us to be cluttered with material things that will distract us. We need to remember that Christ is with us and is the source of any harvest we gather. We are not to seek our comfort or special favors because of who we are. People will care for the messengers, not because of their office or status, but exactly because they are Christ’s messengers who announce the presence of God, “The kingdom of God is at hand.”
We are not fundamentalists. We appreciate Jesus’ instruction to travel with little; to trust him and the message we bring. However, there are places and situations that require we draw on material resources to provide for people’s physical needs. Jesus is our Savior in both body and soul. Christians have had to raise money to build hospitals, orphanages, schools, housing and shelter for those in need.
There are exemplary Christian who have done these good works, some already canonized, others just known as good people and lovers of the needy. They may have been good with bricks and mortar. but in their hearts they didn’t put their trust in “money bag,” “sack,” or “sandals,” but in the One who sent them with the words, “Go your way….” Many encountered “wolves” of greed, ambition and power opposing them. They overcame these negative forces, not by fighting fire with fire, but by remembering that Jesus said they would have his Spirit with them.
One of my favorite examples of boldness and trust in the Lord is Frances Xavier (Mother) Cabrini (1850-1917). She was born in Italy and wanted to be a missionary to China, but was sent by Pope Leo XIII, along with six sisters, to minister to the thousands of Italian immigrants living in New York City. In her 35 years she founded 67 institutions dedicated to serving the poor, abandoned, uneducated and sick. She was terrified of water, afraid of drowning. Still, she crossed the ocean more than 30 times. Pius XII said at her canonization, “Although her constitution was very frail… she permitted nothing to impede her from accomplishing what seemed beyond the strength of a woman.”
A story about Mother Cabrini I like the most is when she was discussing with her sisters the building of one more hospital. They protested that they did not have the resources for such an undertaking. Her response, “Whose work is it, God’s or ours?” The hospital got built.
The harvest is abundant and the laborers are few and we are sent out like lambs among wolves but, “Whose work is it, God’s or ours?”