Slavery. A wretched slavery prevailed throughout all heathendom, men and women being bought and sold like mere goods and chattels. Through Jesus Christ and His Church this slavery has been abolished.
Application. Think of the number and greatness of your sins. From your early childhood not a day has passed that you have not offended God either by thought, desire, word, deed, or the omission of what you ought to have done. You have wasted and misused grace, and have, perhaps, committed mortal sins. And yet God has borne with you, spared you and forgiven you! Praise Him and love him for what He has done for you.
(Compare Commentary Old Test. XVII.)
Chapter XLI.
JESUS SENDS FORTH HIS SEVENTY-TWO DISCIPLES.
[Luke 10, 1 — 24. Compare Mat. 10, 1 — 42.]
ON His journey from Galilee to Judaea, Jesus selected from among His followers seventy-two, whom He called disciples[1], that they might assist[2] the twelve apostles in the work of the ministry. He sent them forth two by two, saying: “He that heareth you[3], heareth Me, and He that despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent Me.”
A short time after, the seventy-two returned to Him, rejoicing, and saying that even the demons were subject to them. Jesus, fearing that they might become vain of the power that was given them, said: “I saw Satan, as lightning, falling from heaven. Rejoice not because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice in this, that your names are written in the Book of Life.”
Then, rejoicing with them, He prayed: “I give thanks to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones!' [4]
- ↑ Disciples. To distinguish them from the apostles, who held a higher rank and greater power.
- ↑ Assisi. Because, as Christ said: “The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He send forth labourers into His vineyard.”
- ↑ Heareth you. He that listens to and accepts what you say.
- ↑ Little ones. i. e. the lowly, the humble, the unlearned.
