Daily Gospel Reflections for Oct 1, 2026

SPEAKER_1 (0:26)

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. October 1st, 2026, Memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

SPEAKER_2 (0:56)

Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of. Him, and to every city and place where. He was about to come. Then He said to them, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that. He may send out laborers into. His harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.

Into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this house. If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. But if not, it will return to you.

Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don't go from house to house.

Into whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, God's kingdom has come near to you. But into whatever city you enter and they don't receive you, go out into its streets and say, even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless, know this, that God's kingdom has come near to you. I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.

SPEAKER_1 (2:40)

The Gospel of the Lord.

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom. He sent ahead of. Him in pairs to every town and place. He intended to visit. He said to them, The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. So ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way. Behold, I'm sending you like lambs among wolves.

When Jesus sent out the seventy-two disciples, He was sending ordinary people into places He Himself intended to visit. That detail matters. They were not going out to build something for themselves or to draw attention to their own abilities. They were preparing the way for Jesus. Their task was to enter towns, meet people, and make. His coming known. Jesus would follow.

There is something reassuring in this for us. When God asks us to do something, we can easily feel that everything depends on us. We worry about whether we are capable enough, whether we will say the right thing, or whether our efforts will make any difference. Yet, the disciples were never the main event. Jesus was. They simply had to go where. He sent them and do what. He asked. The same is true for much of our Christian life. We are not asked to solve every problem or change every person we meet. Sometimes, our part is much smaller. We offer encouragement. We forgive someone. We help a person who needs us. We speak about our faith when the opportunity comes. We make room for Christ to enter a situation through the way we live. Jesus also tells them, the harvest is abundant, but the labourers are few.

There is work to be done, and. He invites ordinary people into it. We sometimes think serving God belongs mainly to priests, religious, missionaries, or people who seem stronger in faith.

Yet, Jesus sent 72 disciples, far more than the 12 His mission was already extending beyond a small group. There was a place for many people to take part.

Our own part may not look dramatic. The harvest can be found inside our homes, workplaces, friendships, parishes, and daily encounter. Someone may need patience from us rather than another criticism. A family member may need our attention. A friend may need someone willing to listen. A person who has drifted away from God may need to encounter a Christian who treats them with kindness instead of judgment.

Much of God's work happens through small actions that may never receive recognition.

But Jesus does not hide the difficulty of the mission. I am sending you like lambs among wolves. He does not promise that everyone will welcome them. Following Christ can place us in situations where our values are misunderstood, rejected or even mocked. There may also be moments when doing what is right costs us something. Jesus does not tell. His disciples to become wolves in response. They are still sent as lambs. They are not asked to become aggressive, bitter or harsh simply because the world around them can be difficult. That can be one of the harder parts of discipleship. When someone hurts us, we may want to answer in the same manner. When our kindness is taken for granted, we may decide that kindness is no longer worth giving. When faith is dismissed, we may become defensive. Yet, Jesus asks. His followers to remain. His followers even when the environment around them is unfriendly.