Luke 10.1-11, 16-20, Pentecost 4C
Theme: Good News
On Sunday, July 20th, 1969, at 8:17 in the evening, a couple of astronauts landed a small craft on the Moon. Some of you may be old enough to remember that event. You may even remember where you were that night. I was at a Junior Hi church camp. It was our first day. The director had arranged to have a TV and a connection to the blow-by-blow coverage. With very blurry reception, we watched that historic event. We heard Niel Armstrong’s historic words: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Those words transfixed us. A week later after returning home from that summer camp those words were still echoing around the world.
It was good news. All humanity rejoiced.
Most people did not know about another quite significant which occurred on the Moon that Sunday evening. Niel Armstrong and Buz Aldren observed Holy Communion together. They shared the blessed emblems of Jesus’ Body and Blood together. The good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ had traveled with humanity to the moon.
In the Gospel of Luke, the author records a time when Jesus sent out seventy in teams of two. They were to spread the Good News of Christ coming into the world. Now we know that word has been spread beyond the Earth.
Jesus said: “I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”
The Good News of humanity setting foot on the Moon was an historical event of timeless significance to humanity. It marks humanity’s progress beyond the bounds of Earth. Sending the Good News of the Christ and His continuing presence among us is more than significant, it is transforming. It promises to change humanity’s way of life. It results in allowing us to reach for the stars.
Beyond the seventy, there are now millions who continue to spread the Good News. Are you one of them?
Worship with us in person at 10:30 AM as we will be meditating on as we renew our commitment to spread the Good News of Christ. The service will also be streamed live on the internet -- (https://fccmaryvillemo.com) or on the church’s home Facebook page. If you miss the live stream, a recorded session is also available to view at your convenience. Want to make a comment on my blog? Click on https://fccmaryvillemosanc.wixsite.com/ftdo
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