Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Carried to Jesus in the Arms of Mary

Outline

Why does Jesus send out the 70 without supplies?

He is sending them where there is too much work to do: “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few”

He is sending them into danger: “I am sending you like lambs among wolves.”

He is sending them without support to fall back on: “Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals” - no wallet, no backpack with food, not even extra sandals.

He is sending them without even a place to go in the new town: go into “whatever house” and find out if a man of peace lives there and if so let you peace come on him.

The why seems to be so that they will learn to depend upon God

They will “eat what is set before you” not moving from house to house, for God’s worker is worthy of his wages, even if it is humans who give them

They will see the kingdom of God come in proclamation, healing, and exorcism - one cannot make that stuff up - whether it is received or not

They will return having seen Satan fall: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.”

And yet will be taught to ignore that, “rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

(Sounds like Teresa of Avila)

Paul says that he - and the 70 if he thought of them - had transformed minds:

“may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. . . .

only a new creation [means anything].

Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God.”

The sufferings he experiences are “the marks of Jesus” like the brand of a slave or soldier

Isaiah says that we rejoice with Jerusalem as we are nourished by her

That is, we experience the care and comfort of Mary and the Church - certainly the heavenly Church and ideally the Church militant as well - for we are “her children” - look at the beautiful corporate - individual oscillation

Nursed, prosperity, comfort, carried in her arms - that is how the Lord’s power will be revealed to his servants - but only if we do not do it out way, ignore her, walk away from her, but rather run to her for comfort.

Sisters, all of this is ours through dependency and identification

We embrace the cross, for that is the way Jesus went

We express our dependency - “Give us this day our daily bread”

We run to Mary as one of her children expecting her arms to pull us to her (unless she must correct us first)

That is life in the kingdom, that is more that healings, exorcisms, crowds listening with rapt attention - these things just happen as we are filled with God, embraced in the arms of Mary.

Every day I want to pray, “More, Lord.

More of you, more closeness to your Mother, more childlike trust.

More, Lord.”

And I trust that you do too.

Readings

FIRST READING

Isaiah 66:10–14c

10 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,

all you who love her;

Rejoice with her in her joy,

all you who mourn over her—

11 So that you may nurse and be satisfied

from her consoling breast;

That you may drink with delight

at her abundant breasts!

12 For thus says the LORD:

I will spread prosperity over her like a river,

like an overflowing torrent,

the wealth of nations.

You shall nurse, carried in her arms,

cradled upon her knees;

13 As a mother comforts her child,

so I will comfort you;

in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

14 You will see and your heart shall exult,

and your bodies shall flourish like the grass;

The LORD’s power shall be revealed to his servants,

but to his enemies, his wrath.

RESPONSE

Psalm 66:1

1 For the leader.

A song; a psalm.

PSALM

Psalm 66:1–7, 16, 20

1 For the leader.

A song; a psalm.

2 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;

sing of his glorious name;

give him glorious praise.

3 Say to God: “How awesome your deeds!

Before your great strength your enemies cringe.

4 All the earth falls in worship before you;

they sing of you, sing of your name!”

Selah

5 Come and see the works of God,

awesome in deeds before the children of Adam.

6 He changed the sea to dry land;

through the river they passed on foot.

There we rejoiced in him,

7 who rules by his might forever,

His eyes are fixed upon the nations.

Let no rebel rise to challenge!

Selah

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,

while I recount what has been done for me.

20 Blessed be God, who did not reject my prayer

and refuse his mercy.

SECOND READING

Galatians 6:14–18

14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

15 For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation.

16 Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.

Amen.

GOSPEL

Option A

Luke 10:1–12, 17–20

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy[-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 2 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.

3 Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.

4 Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.

5 Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’

6 If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.