The return of the seventy-two
M Mons. Vincenzo Paglia
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Gospel (Lk 10,21-24) - At that same moment Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said: «I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, who have hidden these things from the learned and the wise and have revealed them to little ones. Yes, Father, because that is how you liked it. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, nor who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him." And turning to the disciples, aside, he said : "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

In the evening, when they return to Jesus, the seventy-two tell him about the wonders they were able to work among the people. Jesus, while listening to them, also rejoices and confirms their experiences: "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning." It is the joy that is born in the Christian community: every time the Gospel is communicated and evil is seen retreating defeated by the power of love. It is in truth a true power that the Lord confides to his disciples of yesterday and today: "I have given you the power to walk over serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: nothing will be able to harm you." They are words that we should never forget as we often irresponsibly do: evil can do nothing in the face of the good brought about by the Gospel. Hence the joy of Jesus' disciples. It is already great on earth in seeing the world change. But it will be even greater in knowing that one's names are written in the heavens, that is, in the very heart of God. This means that in every gesture of love there is already the fulfillment or, if you want, the destination in which we are direct: the fullness of the kingdom. At this point, Jesus, still moved by what had happened that day, raises his eyes to heaven and thanks the Father because he chose to confide the secret of his love for him to those poor disciples who entrusted themselves to him. It is a sweet prayer that flows from the profound love that Jesus has for the Father and for those disciples. After praying he turns towards those seventy-two and pronounces a beatitude that spans the centuries: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!". We too are granted the grace to "see", to live with Jesus directly by participating in the life of the community of believers.