Reflection - News

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/101817.cfm
2Timothy 4:10-17Luke 10:1-9

When prophets in the Old Testament came to speak to the people it was never with the words: "I have some good news," nor did it come with the more tempered version: I have some good news and some bad news. Their messages could not remotely be interpreted in that light for their criticism was frequently brutal and their judgement was usually harsh. In subsequent years, when their messages would be more honestly critiqued, it was generally understood that their words of condemnation were, at the time spoken, discounted and disregarded blessings which promised God's friendship to those who returned to the covenant. But, in the years when the different prophets proclaimed their message, that message was poorly received. Elijah had to run from an angry king. Jeremiah was thrown into an empty cistern. Jonah was the most appropriately received, but he spoke to gentiles.Consider, for example, John the Baptist, the last of those speaking in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets. We encounter him at the beginning of every one of the four Gospels. John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1:4)

The call to repentance was at the core of all prophetic preaching. And the prophets never hesitated to name evil for what it was nor to condemn the justifications people used to excuse the practice of evil.When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sad'ducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matthew 3:7)

That "pleasant greeting" was followed with a demanding admonition. "Bear fruit that befits repentance." (Matthew 3:8)

Further, John warned of the futility of any reliance upon ancestry. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham." (Matthew 3:9)

John's preaching was not new but echoed that of the prophets of old. His criticism was frequently brutal and his judgement was usually harsh — at least as we have it recorded in the Gospel texts.

Now John was more agreeably received by the common people than were his vocational predecessors. But I dare say that those in power were quietly pleased when Herod removed him from the scene. The prophet's job was never a welcomed one, and it was seldom gratifying to the prophet himself. Jesus was well aware of this fact when the people of his own town "took offense at him. Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.'" (Luke 13:57)

All of this brings us to this morning's Gospel reading. The Lord Jesus appointed seventy-two disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. Say to them, 'The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'"

I read this and could not help but wonder how radically different was their mission from that of the prophets of old. These seventy-two did not go out to preach repentance, though that would be required if their message was received. They did not go out with words of brutal criticism or harsh judgement. They probably did not even go out with the slightest expectation of rejection. After all, theirs was a message of Good News. Exciting news! Joyful news! What a message to be privileged to announce to the world.I tried to image the scene as the Lord described for them what they were going to do and how they were to go about it. I can imagine them chomping at the bit, barely ably to contain themselves as they awaited Jesus signal to go. I hear a cacophony of enthusiastic voices, sharing with one another their anticipation with muffled words and laughter. Jesus had chosen them to announce the Good News: The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.' And my wonder wanders over to an image of those of us living today, those of us who have supposedly received the Good News in our hearts. And I look for joy and enthusiasm and an anxious desire to share that Good News.

They say that familiarity breeds contempt. I doubt that, in the case of the Gospel, that observation is entirely true. Rather, a rephrase seems more appropriate: Familiarity breeds apathy and indifference. To the extent that this revision is an accurate description it is also a judgment. Not a judgment on our past; but a judgment on our present. Consider: We hear that we can expect a new grandchild. We share the news with joy and enthusiasm. Sometimes we can't wait to reach for the phone.We receive a new job offer with an advanced title and better pay. We excitedly celebrate by going out to dinner.We are told that a good friend is getting married. We warmly offer congratulations and offer a toast to the new couple.We learn that God became man and died for us so that we could live forever and we . . . And we . . . What is it that we do? I wonder.And my mind wanders. And I search for the difference in our response to those first three announcements of good news and the Good News of the Gospel.

Could it be that that Gospel news has become "old hat?" Something known in the past but boxed and shelved in one of my mind's many storage closets? Could it be that I have exhausted my understanding of and relationship with the infinite? Could it be that the Good News is now just old news?