Jesus often chose people who were poor and obscure to be His disciples. To these people who were barely making a living, Jesus spoke of a great harvest (see Lk 10:2). He sent out these nobodies as missionaries, curing the sick and proclaiming that a new and very different kingdom was at hand (Lk 10:9). When these disciples took Jesus at His word and went forth in His name, they realized that the good news of Jesus was true. Then they "returned in jubilation saying, 'Master, even the demons are subject to us in Your name' " (Lk 10:17). Jesus rejoiced with them that by their ministry Satan had fallen "from the sky like lightning" (Lk 10:18). Nevertheless, Jesus told His disciples that they had more cause to rejoice in:

• what the Lord had done in them and not only through them,
• that their names were inscribed in heaven rather than on earth (Lk 10:20), and
• that they knew the Lord of the works and not only the works of the Lord.

Rejoice in the Lord for giving us a life worth living, an abundant and eternal life. Rejoice in the Lord for giving us Himself.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001