Homily on Luke 10:1–12, 17–20: Rejoicing in the Hidden Work of God

Homily on Luke 10:1–12, 17–20 : Rejoicing in What Heaven Sees: A Story of Hidden Holiness (6-7-25)

Praise be to Jesus Christ 

A young woman used to sweep the floor of the village chapel every morning. She would come before anyone else, clean quietly, arrange the benches, and leave before people arrived for Mass. One day, someone asked her why she did it. She simply said, “Jesus walks here. I want the place to be ready.” No one knew her name. She wasn’t thanked in public. But heaven knew her.

Today’s Gospel tells us of seventy-two disciples being sent out by Jesus. Most people remember the words “The harvest is great but the labourers are few” or “Shake the dust off your feet.” But there is a beautiful and often unnoticed line in the return of the disciples. Jesus says, “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” This is the key to everything: rejoicing in what is hidden.

The world teaches us to rejoice when we succeed in something others can see. We, sometimes, over rejoice when we are praised, when people clap for us, and when we are noticed. However, in today’s Gospel our Lord Jesus reminds and teaches us that heaven notices what is hidden, what is done in secret, and what is done without reward.

Saint Therese of Lisieux lived her religious life in a cloistered Carmel. She never went out on a mission. She never preached a sermon to anyone. Yet, she is the patroness of missions today. Why? Because she offered her ordinary sufferings for missionaries and she rejoiced not in what was seen, but in what was written in heaven. She always wished to hide in the heart of Jesus and she did. However, the heart where she hid herself made her known in every nook and corner.

In family life, we can often feel unnoticed. A mother wakes early to prepare food, a father works long hours, children help silently around the house and no one may say “thank you.” But the Lord sees. Your names are being written in heaven. A smile offered to a lonely elder, a child helped with homework, a small prayer whispered in the kitchen all these are known to our God and we will be rewarded in the proper time.

In the Old Testament, Moses chose seventy elders to help him carry the burden of leadership. But in the New Testament, Jesus sends seventy-two — a sign that God’s mission is growing. And who are these seventy-two? Not famous people, but ordinary followers. You and I are part of that number today.

 We all know the famous saying of St. Teresa of Calcutta, who once said, “God has not called me to be successful, but He has called me to be faithful.” That is the spirit of this Gospel. You may not see the results of your kindness, your prayer, your silent suffering, but God sees it. You are building the Kingdom of God in a way the world cannot measure.

So today, dear brothers and sisters let us ask ourselves, what do I rejoice in? Do I only feel happy when others praise me? Or can I find joy in what only heaven sees?

Let us all try to become like that young woman who was cleaning the chapel with deep love. She was not expecting any appreciation from anyone.  It is because she understands that in the end, it is not applause that matters, but the quiet assurance that our names are written in heaven matters. Moreover, like little Therese let us try to hide in the heart of Jesus. Even if, no one comes to know about us, He knows because we are in his heart.  

Jesus let me hide in your heart