Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
Reflection on the Gospel of Luke 10:1-9
As we gather here today, I invite you to pause for a moment and imagine Jesus sitting right beside you. Not far off, but close; so close you can hear the warmth in His voice as He whispers, “My son, my daughter, I love you so much and am always with you. Come, follow me. Let’s walk this road together, sharing the love God has poured into our hearts.”
Sent Out Into the World: “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you”
Today, in the Gospel of Luke, we hear Jesus sending out seventy-two of His followers into the world. He tells them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few. So ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” That’s a line that always sticks with me. It’s not a promise that things will be easy. In fact, Jesus warns that following Him means walking straight into places that are hard, sometimes even dangerous. But He also promises that we aren’t alone.
He sends them – and, by extension, us – to announce something incredible: “The kingdom of God is at hand for you.” Not just for someone else, not just far away or in some distant future, but here, now. This is Jesus’ message: God’s presence, God’s way of life, God’s love; it’s breaking into the world, right where you are.
The Kingdom of God: Not Far Away, but Here and Now
So, what is this kingdom of God? It’s not castles or thrones or armies. It’s not about power as the world understands it. The kingdom of God is wherever God’s will is done: wherever love, justice, and peace take root. It’s living the way Jesus teaches us: loving God with all we are, loving our neighbor as ourselves, forgiving as we have been forgiven, offering kindness when it’s least expected, and seeking out the lost and the lonely.
It’s easy to hear the word “kingdom” and imagine something far off. But Jesus says, “No, it’s happening now. You’re invited into it. You don’t have to wait. You don’t have to be perfect.” That’s good news, because I know I’m not perfect. None of us are. The invitation isn’t based on our qualifications. It’s based on God’s love.
And that love we’re invited into—that kingdom we’re called to build—flows from the Paschal Mystery itself: the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. In the Paschal Mystery, we see just how far God’s love will go for us. Jesus gives everything: His very life; to reconcile us with the Father, to heal what is broken, and to open the way for us to share in His own divine life. Every time we love, forgive, serve, or lay down our lives for others, we are living out that same Paschal Mystery. We become living witnesses to God’s saving work, carrying Christ’s light into the world.
Becoming the Kingdom: Asking, Trusting, and Overflowing with Love
How do we step into this kingdom? Jesus makes it simple – ask. Ask the Holy Spirit, who already lives in your heart, to fill you with God’s love. Ask for the courage to let that love overflow into kindness, generosity, forgiveness, and prayer. When we ask, God answers; and not with just a little, but with abundance. God’s love can’t help but spill over into the lives of those around us. That’s how the kingdom grows, one heart at a time, one act of love at a time.
We all have a part to play. Maybe you feel like one of those seventy-two disciples – sent out, a little nervous, wondering if you’re really up for it. Jesus says, “I am with you. I love you. Let’s go together.” When we live this way: loving God, loving neighbor, trusting the Spirit; we become the kingdom of God in the world. We become the hands and feet of Jesus. We help others catch a glimpse of God’s presence and God’s promise.
So today, as you go out into the world, remember: you are deeply loved. You are never alone. And you are called, right now, to be part of something bigger than yourself; to help build the kingdom of God, not with grand gestures, but with simple acts of love and faithfulness, day after day.
Go out, then, with love. Give praise, thanksgiving, and glory to God in all you do. Love those around you as Jesus loves you – and know that He walks with you, every step of the way.
Amen.
Learn More about the Bread of Life
About Our Guest Blogger
Blessed Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
