“He Sent Them Two by Two” – Retracing Our Missionary Identity Conclusion

by Fr. Tony Okolo C.S.Sp., V.F.  |  08/24/2025  |  Weekly Reflection

Beloved Parishioners,

I conclude my reflection started last week on our missionary identity. As I mentioned in last week’s Pastor’s Corner and during the Masses, beginning in September we will embark on an evangelization process in our parish.

First, begin with prayer. Ask the Lord each morning, “Where are You sending me today? Who needs Your peace?” Second, try as much as possible to be a quiet witness, a silent preacher. Strive to bring Christ to others through your small acts of charity, patience, and faithfulness. Third, share your story. Let others know how your faith sustains you. It only requires sharing the testimony of your faith and how faith in God keeps you going despite life’s challenges. Remember that modern man listens to witnesses more than evangelizers. Fourth, invite others in. If someone is searching or hurting, invite them to Mass, to coffee, or simply to a listening ear. This simple act will go a long way in lifting their loads. We offer coffee and donuts every Sunday after Mass for people to share with one another. Fifth, support the Church’s mission through giving your time, talents, and treasure. Help the Church “go forth.” Remember that some give to the missions by going while others go to the missions by giving.

Furthermore, Jesus told the disciples, “Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals...” He sends them with nothing but peace, with trust in God’s provision, and with the power of His name. That’s all we truly need. We live in a world that measures success by performance and visibility. But the Kingdom of God measures differently. The 72 were sent without gold or security, only with the power of peace and the authority of Christ. And so are we. The world does not need more noise or arguments. It needs authentic disciples—humble hearts walking side by side with the suffering and the searching. So let us go out—two by two, day by day—into the mission field of our own lives, knowing that Christ has gone before us and walks beside us.

More so, when the 72 return, they are rejoicing. “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name!” (Luke 10:17). Their joy is understandable. They have seen miracles. They have experienced power in Jesus’ name. But then Jesus gently redirects their focus: “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20). What humbling and beautiful teaching! Jesus does not dismiss the spiritual victories, but He reminds them—and us—that our true joy must be rooted not in what we do for Him, but in who we are in Him. It is not success in ministry, but intimacy with God that matters most. This is a call to holy humility.

May the Holy Spirit ignite in us a renewed zeal for mission. May Mary, Star of Evangelization, guide our every step. And may our parish become not just a sanctuary of prayer, but a beacon of peace and hope for all. When we place our confidence not in outcomes, but in our belonging to Christ, we become truly free. Free to love, to risk, to forgive. Free to rejoice—not in what we do, but in what God has done for us.