There is a sense of urgency in today's gospel reading. Jesus not only called the twelve to go out and preach the Good News. He now extends this invitation and appoints seventy-two others to do likewise. He sends them out with similar instructions and a message of peace to those who are open to receiving it.

The messengers are not to be cluttered up with material things. They are to concentrate on their task and not linger on the way. They are to accept whatever hospitality is given and not move on looking for something better. They are to put their trust in God alone.

This message is quite challenging, and even today, it has implications for all of us. In living out our Christian vocation, we may at times feel like lambs among wolves. The wolves may perhaps be those who ridicule our religious beliefs, or the wolves may be whatever in our lives that keep us from being faithful to our calling. Perhaps material things that clutter our lives or our work that consumes all our energy.

St Paul calls us today to stir into flame the gift that we have received so that we may be able to bear the hardships that may come our way with the strength that comes from God.