Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, C
Isaiah 66:10-14
Ps. 66
Gal. 6: 14-18
Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20

The connection between the readings today is the word “peace.” And a tenuous connection it is, too. In the First Reading, God tells Israel, “Lo, I will spread shalom over her like a river.” While the introductory comment translates this as “peace,” the NAB uses “prosperity,” instead. Certainly this is idiomatically correct, and in the context of “that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts” it makes sense.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples (not the Twelve, but a “further” group), and in his charge to them, he says “On entering any house, first say ‘Peace to this house.’ If there is a peaceable man there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.” The Responsorial Psalm reflects the desire of Israel to proclaim what God has done: “Let all the earth cry out to the Lord with joy!” and also reflects the mission of the seventy-two: “Come and see the works of God, His tremendous deeds among men.” When the disciples come back to Jesus, full of jubilation over their successes, He tempers their joy by saying, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice so much that the devils are subject to you, as that your names are inscribed in heaven.” What is wonderful is not our work, but the God who sends us to do the work, and empowers us to get it done.

The Second Reading today brings to an end the continuous reading from Galatians. Paul summarizes his entire letter here by exclaiming, “May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!” Nothing else matters, nothing else provides us with salvation. Paul’s sufferings as an apostle (the “brand marks of Jesus which I bear in my body”) are the proof of his commitment to this Gospel.

This hymn is based on today’s Scriptures:
Sing with Jerusalem,
All who in mourning wept;
God has brought back each heart,
That faithful vigil kept.
May songs of praise each heart employ:
Let all the earth cry out with joy!

Seventy-two went forth,
To preach the coming reign;
Rich are the harvest's fruits,
Potent, the Master's Name.
May songs of praise each heart employ:
Let all the earth cry out with joy!

Now with the Cross as boast,
Crucified to the world,
Each of us born anew,
Go with our song unfurled:
May hymns of praise each heart employ:
Let all the earth cry out with joy!

66.66.88.
suggested tune: Little Cornard

Propers from the Roman Gradual

Introit: Suscepimus (Ps. 48:8-9)
We have waited, O God, on your loving-kindness in the midst of your temple.
According to your Name, O God,
your promise also reaches to the world’s end;
your right hand is full of righteousness.
Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised;
in the city of our God is his holy mountain.

Offertory: Populum humilem (Ps. 19:28, 32a)
You save the lowly poor, you who are the strong Lord our God,
but you humble and bring low all those with proud eyes;
for who is our God, except you, Lord our rock?

Communion: Gustate et videte (Ps. 34:8)
O taste and see how gracious the Lord is;
blessed are they who put their trust in him.

alternate: Amen dico vobis, quia nemo (Mk 6:4)
Amen, I say to you: that no one accepts a prophet in his own country.

Propers from the Simple Gradual

The suite of antiphons and psalms from Ordinary Time IV (BFW 248–258)
thanksgiving to God, especially in God’s house — is especially appropriate.

Entrance: BFW 248 (Within your temple, we recall . . .)
Response: BFW 74 (Have mercy on us)
Offertory: BFW 514 (You, Lord, led me into freedom . . .)
Communion: Communion: BFW 645, 646, or 647 (Taste and see . . . or Alleluia, . . .)