What Jesus never said, but so many think He did...

1 October
Gospel
Lk 10:1-12

Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples
whom he sent ahead of him in pairs
to every town and place he intended to visit.
He said to 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.
Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;
and greet no one along the way.
Into whatever house you enter, first say,
‘Peace to this household.’
If a peaceful person lives there,
your peace will rest on him;
but if not, it will return to you.
Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,
for the laborer deserves his payment.
Do not move about from one house to another.
Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,
eat what is set before you,
cure the sick in it and say to them,
‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.’
Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,
go out into the streets and say,
‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet,
even that we shake off against you.’
Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand.
I tell you,
it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.”

from WorldPriest

Interesting, at the end how "intolerant" Jesus is, isn't it? He actually tells his disciples to "shake the dust" off their shoes...and leave. He doesn't say:

"Stay in that town, adapt to the ways of the folks, make sure you don't offend anyone with the Truth. If they don't recognize you and receive your message, then "change it" to make them feel better. If you constantly change to be like those in every town, then you'll be liked by everyone. Always change the message to make it more palatable to every person. No one needs to alter their life and convert, really... we have to be the ones who change and adapt to that town's particular culture. Be sure you scream about "social justice" all the time, but if there are any abortion clinics in that town, just let it be. I'll change that sometime in the future. Remember you're there to just blend in and not be conspicuous, so no clerics, no habits. Just la la la love them, be activists for 'change' but don't expect anyone to change and follow all the rules of the Church. They're kind of rigid and old-fashioned. Let everyone know you la la la love them and all will be well. Infact, maybe you should 'buy them all a Coke' and teach them how to sing "All You Need is Love" and "Give Peace a Chance." Then perfect harmony will come to every heart, and la la la love will prevail, without rules, or those pesky old rituals. Just make sure everyone's happy at all times and forget all the talk about it being easier for Sodom. I don't know what I was talking about bringing that up. Dad got a little "carried away" destroying Soddom and Gomorrah, but you know, He tends to be a little too strict. I'm not going to be as strict as Pops though. So if you ignore everything I've told you before now, you'll be 'free' to really spread the la la la love around and utopia will happen and those old stodgy, religious freaks will eventually disappear. Okie doke? Cool. Here's some Aquafina. Catch ya later, dudes. Oh,wait, I almost forgot - speaking of "dudes" there should be some women with all the authority I've given the guys, so, ladies, I hereby make you 'priests' because again, the "Old Man" didn't quite get it, that you'd be just as equal and can do everything the guys can do. I should have realized it a lot sooner, too, so forgive me for being the Head of the Church. I make you all equal 'heads.' And Pops, well he's a little 'not quite there' ya know? I'll talk to Him and tell Him to "lighten up." So take care. Keep playin' the bongos and wearing those sweet pantsuits so no one can tell you've given your entire life to me in that 'obnoxious' overt way with veils and stuff. Live wherever you want, and most importantly, don't whine about abortion! That's key. It's Bush's War and the death penalty that are the real kickers needing your voice. And this "health care" stuff needs to pass and pass soon. It's like the 11th Commandment or I mean, suggestion. Also, remember to always be tolerant, and inclusive of evreything people do and say, with the exception of the really 'religious.' And another thing, just talk about love, don't talk about hell or sin anymore. Those are like soooo outdated! Have a great trip. Be "Green" to save the planet, and I'll see ya back at on the beach for some fish 'n chips. Keep it real. Happy trails."