Convince People that Peace Is Possible

What do you suppose are the best measures of success in ministry? Is it a question of numbers, that is, total attendance or dollars raised or people served? Is it about our impressions, or how we feel about our work when we’re finished– whether we’re proud or discouraged or some combination? Is it about meeting stated goals, or preidentified objectives that we pursue according to a strategy? How will we know that we’ve achieved success?

At one level, today’s Gospel from Luke is a success story. “The seventy-two [emissaries of Jesus] returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!’” When Jesus sent them out “like lambs into the midst of wolves,” it seemed unlikely that they’d achieve what they set out to do and live to tell the tale, but that’s what happens. “Nevertheless,” Jesus replies, “do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” In other words, your work on behalf of the reign of God is humble; celebrate not your accomplishments, but God’s enduring grace.

Evidently, success and failure are secondary to faithfulness– first God’s, then that of God’s people. And Jesus knows as well as anyone that faithfulness does not necessarily lead to success. “Whatever house you enter,” he instructs the seventy-two, “first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you…. But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’” In other words, some will listen to you, others will not; the purpose of your ministry is not to fret over those whose hearts are closed to the message, but to connect with those whose hearts are open. Either way, your efforts are not wasted.[1]

The question remains: why is the message controversial in the first place? “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you.” Peace, not condemnation. Peace, not conquest. Peace is the message of God’s reign, so peace is what Jesus sends his disciples to share with the world, knowing full well that many won’t accept it.

That first missionary journey was largely a success, and maybe Jesus’ message of peace continues to make inroads here and there. But on the whole, does it stand a chance in the world today? What is Christian discipleship in the face of what may seem like impossible odds?

Last month, The Christian Century published an article featuring a congregation at the epicenter of the war in Gaza. In light of today’s Gospel, it’s a piece worth hearing nearly in its entirety: [Claire Giangravé, “‘Convince people that peace is possible,’ says Gaza Catholic parish priest,” www.christiancentury.org/news/convince-people-peace-possible-says-gaza-catholic-parish-priest].

“Convince people that peace is possible.” Father Romanelli might well have taken those words right out of Jesus’ mouth. And if we take that challenge to heart, we might well feel like lambs sent out into the midst of wolves. But Christ sends us out nonetheless: Convince people that peace is possible, for the sake of God’s reign on Earth as in heaven. Convince people that peace is possible, despite the scorn or cynicism or apathy you’ll inevitably encounter. Convince people that peace is possible, or dust off your feet and move on.

Friends, success by any measure is not assured. Still, God’s peaceable reign has already come near. Rejoice that your names are already written in heaven, and that “we all are called for service, to witness in God’s name. Our ministries are different; our purpose is the same: to touch the lives of others with God’s surprising grace, so ev’ry folk and nation may feel God’s warm embrace.”[2]

[1] Jonette Blakney, Rebecca Shjerven, Preaching Peace Tacoma table, July 1^st, 2025.

[2] Rusty Edwards, “We All Are One in Mission,” Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Pew Edition #576.