The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. (Luke 10:2)
July 8, 2025
Hello Everyone –
Still fresh off of the journey to Rome — to pledge fidelity to the Successor of St. Peter — and to celebrate the Eucharist at the tomb of St. Peter — I am haunted by the Gospel of this past Sunday and the self-emptying work of being sent on mission.
Hear again what Jesus was doing in the Gospel:
“At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit.”
“Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals.”
“First say, ‘Peace to this household.’
“Stay — eat and drink what is offered to you.”
“For the laborer deserves his payment.”
It is evident that Jesus was sending his disciples out on mission. He was giving them specific directions on where to go — what to take — how to act — and so on.
But how do these directions translate into today’s world — into the world in which we live?
Here is one answer — taken from life — that appeared some time ago in The New York Times magazine:
A beauty salon owner was surprised when one of his regular customers came in to have her hair styled. She wasn’t scheduled for a haircut for another couple of weeks. He asked if she had some big plans that evening.
“No,” she said, “I don’t have anything special going on. I just want to look and feel good tonight.”
So the stylist went to work. He gave the woman a scalp massage — then shampooed and styled her hair. During their 30 minutes together, the two talked and joked and laughed. When he finished, the woman smiled radiantly and hugged him goodbye.
A few days later the salon owner received a note from the woman. She thanked him for the wonderful time she had that afternoon. His kindness and the fun they shared had given her hope enough to check herself into a hospital and seek professional help for her depression — instead of taking her own life, as she was contemplating doing that evening.
“Thank you for being there,” she wrote, “without knowing that you were.”
Well, the experience shocked the hairdresser. He had known the woman for many years — yet he had no inkling she was in such distress.
What if he had been distracted — upset — or rushed through the appointment?
How many of the ten clients he saw each day were in similar crisis without his even being aware of it? He would never know. So, he vowed that day to give extra care and attention to everyone he saw and to do his best to make that person’s day. The experience not only changed the woman’s life — it changed the salon owner’s perspective as well.
To be conscious of the world around us — to be aware of the people with whom we share life — to live actively engaging the present moment — to realize that our actions and our words have an effect — make an impression — are remembered.
Jesus dispatches a group of disciples — 72 of them. They are to travel everywhere — and he gives them their instructions while he himself is on his way to Jerusalem to definitively establish the Kingdom of God.
And what are the signs of this kingdom? Healing and liberation for starters.
Disoriented lives being reclaimed — shattered relationships coming together — self-esteem being restored — bruised and wounded people being healed — names being written in heaven.
We have been sent on mission, too. It started with Baptism — it continues throughout our lives.
As laborers, dare we ponder if we are earning our payment?
As I do for you, please pray for me,
Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee
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