“Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” – Luke 10:20
“Your names are written in heaven.”
In this gospel, Jesus sends out his missionaries to prepare the way for Him. But he doesn’t just send them out. He gives them specific instructions.
And when they return (rejoicing no less), Jesus praises them. And He tells them their names are written in heaven.
We are all called to be witnesses. To be witnesses with our words and with our lives. And like the seventy-two, we are called to be peaceful witnesses. We are called to trust in the Lord to provide for us. And if we are rejected, we are told to wipe the dust off our feet and move on.
For it is not a matter of succeeding. After all, salvation is God’s work. It is more a matter of putting ourselves out there, and witnessing about Jesus’ presence and action in our lives. And there is so much joy in that!
So we, too, return rejoicing. We return to our Lord. We return over and over again, to the One who sent us. For it is only through God, that we can do any of this.
And perhaps, deep our hearts, we who spread the Good News, we too can hear those words from the One who loves us more than we know, “Your names are written in heaven.”
Dear Lord, help me to witness about your presence in my life. Help me to say the right words and be the kind of witness you ask me to be. And always, help me to remember, that I am yours. Amen.
Catholic Prayer Life 
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