Daily Reflection Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time

This is the time in Presidential political campaigns when advance teams need to show their mettle. Sent ahead to cities and venues where their candidate is scheduled to rally the troops and add a few more to their number, these professionals do all the ground and leg work -- accommodations, security, publicity, and press briefings -- so that when the Big Boss arrives the message can flourish.

Jesus has been about sending out advance teams of his own in these chapters from Luke that the Lectionary has been inviting us to ponder. In Chapter 9, we read of the mission of the 12 apostles, sent out to proclaim and cure. In today's Gospel from Chapter 10, the advance team comes in new packaging (same admonitions, however. "Take nothing;" "Shake the dust....".) Jesus sends ahead seventy-two unnamed disciples to every town and place as he makes his turn toward Jerusalem, this time sent not as solo journeyers but two by two. (Any women friends or married couples in the mix? One can only dream...). Pairs in ministry to bolster, to encourage, to chide if needed, a mutual support, a sacred friendship -- this is a key hallmark of Ignatian spirituality, which places great value on the virtues of collaboration and teamwork. (Think of the relationship between a spiritual director and a directee.) Mission and service in the Ignatian mode are not independent enterprises but work done in collaboration with Christ, and with others.

Eric Clayton, Deputy Director of Communications for Jesuit USA, said it so well in an essay two weeks ago: "The relationship is the key. We carry others and allow others to carry us on our path to God. We lean into our strengths and particular characteristics, and let others do the same -- in relationship, in community. As the People of God, we go to God."

Loyola Jesuit Center's mission statement is "Accompanying all who seek a deeper friendship with God." In Saturday's Gospel we will read of the return of the advanced teams. The seventy-two come rejoicing at what they were able to accomplish under the banner of Jesus. And Jesus rejoices! How will Jesus rejoice today as we pledge our best selves to spread the Gospel Good News? What partner might we need to make that intention a reality? Who might need our ministry of accompaniment? Let's do our advance-team homework.