“Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Lk. 10:20

Joy is one of the marks of the followers of Christ. In the Gospel the 72 disciples returned from their mission rejoicing. Since the Gospel is a treasure, all who are entrusted with it should be spiritually rich, and have hearts rejoicing. Although radical poverty was demanded of them, they did not mind because they knew that they had a Shepherd guarding and providing for them. The Gospel describes the disciples coming back rejoicing for the many wonderful things God had done through them. But most especially, it is because “their names are written in heaven.” Meaning, that there is a permanent home for them in the heart of God, and safety and security in His communion.

“Follow me.” Lk. 9:59

As Jesus went from one place to another, more and more people wished to follow Him. The first disciples, the Apostles “left everything and followed Him.” In the Gospel, many of those attracted to follow the Lord still have attachments to their old life, and their way of thinking is different from Jesus. Following the Lord oftentimes requires a radical “Yes” and commitment to a “way of life,” the Way of Life of Jesus. Sometimes the will and the spirit are willing to follow the way of the Lord, but at the same time seek recognition and approval of others. This kind of will and spirit will not lead to genuine holiness.

“Blessed and broke them and gave them to the disciples...” Lk. 9:16

The multiplication of loaves introduces the super abundance of gifts that is the sign and proof of the Messianic age and prefigures the Eucharist. When we receive the body and blood of Christ, we increase our communion with the Lord, forgive our venial sins, and it preserves us from grave sin. The Eucharist strengthens the bond of charity between the communicants and Christ, and reinforces the unity of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. (CCC 1416)

“He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine...” Jn. 16:14-15a

These verses reveal the special relationship and the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. There is complete unity and equality in the three divine Persons of the Holy Trinity. In verses 14-15, everything that the Father has is the Son’s, and everything that the Son has is the Father’s, while the third person of the Trinity has what is common to the Father and the Son, in a knowledge known as divine essence. The encounter of the Father and the Son takes place in the Holy Spirit.

"Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Jn. 20:23

The Lord instituted the Sacrament of Reconciliation after his resurrection, he breathed upon them, and said: “Receive the Holy Spirit…” It is the belief of the Fathers of the Church that by this uplifting action of Jesus, and the words that followed this gift, the power of forgiving and retaining sins was granted upon the Apostles and their lawful successors. This was the will of the Father expressed through the Son, the power to reconcile the faithful who have fallen after their baptism. (Council of Trent, De Penetentia, chap. 1)