Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi
When I first visited Conception Abbey, while I was discerning the possibility of a monastic vocation, the vocation director, Fr. John Sheley, took me out to the cemetery near the monastery and showed me all the graves of the monks. He told me there that this was the goal of monastic life. However, he did not mean that the goal was to be buried in a nice cemetery. Rather, he explained that the goal was to live for the Kingdom of God and to receive the reward of eternal life in that Kingdom.
I think Jesus is saying something similar to the 72 disciples as they return from the mission that Jesus had sent them on. They return rejoicing in the power and the graces that had flowed through them on their mission. And this clearly showed them, as it shows us in our missions, that Christ is working with us and through us. And Jesus rejoices along with them but also reminds them that what they should really be celebrating is that their names are written in heaven. We should always remember that our lives in this world are good and holy, and something to celebrate, but that we are intended for something that is so much more, eternal life in Heaven with Christ and with all the Saints.
Reflection by Fr. Aquinas Keusenkothen, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections