Readings and Themes for the Week of July 4, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of July 04, 2010,
Fourteenth Sunday

Reading I Isaiah 66:10-14c

Mother Jerusalem will gather her children.

Psalm 66

“Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.”

Reading II Galatians 6:14-18

I bear in my body the brand marks of Jesus.

Gospel Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

If people welcome you, bid them peace. If not, shake their dust from your feet and move on.

THEME:

We are called to evangelize.

We welcome the sacred word of God this day with hearts open to transformation. This word has the power to change us. As this word is proclaimed in our midst, let us receive it with hearts filled with joy. Let us respond by echoing the sentiments of the psalmist: “let all the earth cry out to God with joy.”

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

How do you let others know about your faith?

Question for Youth:

Jesus sent the disciples out into the world, but told them that it wouldn’t be an easy job.

How have you shared your faith with others this past week?

What were the risks for you?

Question for Adults:

To what part of the harvest are you being sent?

What are you being called to do for the Reign of God?

Bulletin Bites
"The seventy two returned, rejoicing, and said, 'Lord, even demons are subject to us because of your name.'"

The seventy-two disciples that Jesus sent in thirty-six directions were amazed at their success. Did they really have faith in Jesus as they left on their mission? We can almost hear them grumbling. “He is sending us like lambs among wolves with no money, no provisions, no sandals, and we cannot even greet people on the way. Does he expect us to work miracles?” But off they went. And they performed miracles. Despite their doubts, they had faith in Jesus and they were able to do great things because of their faith. When we feel called to step out in faith to imitate Jesus in our world, do we have doubts? Do we fail to act because of our doubts? Or do we act, despite our doubts, amazed at what we can accomplish when we have faith in Jesus? As a result of our Baptism it is our responsibility to nurture our faith in Jesus so we can constantly be amazed at what we can accomplish in His name.