Don't put it off

In a way, this week's Gospel (Luke 10:1-12,17-20) gives us the answer. Jesus sends a bunch of disciples out to get people ready to listen to Him -- and the disciples learn that doing what someone asks you to can bring great things!

Jesus sent 72 followers to towns He was going to visit. He told them: "Don't take money or shoes; don't stop to chat. When you go to a house, say, `Peace to you.' Eat what they give you, heal the sick and say, `God is coming.' But if they don't listen, shake the dust of that town from your feet and move on." When the 72 came back, they were excited: They could heal people using Jesus' name!

Jesus' followers must have wondered things like that. They'd just found Jesus and thought He was a great guy; they probably wanted to hang out with Him. Why should they have to go visit towns He was going to visit Himself, just to tell people He was coming?

When you have chores, the longer you put them off, the bigger they seem to get. Cleaning your room feels like a huge project! But if you do it, you'll have time for other stuff and you don't have to stress about it any more. It's like getting a reward.

The disciples got a reward, too. When they did what Jesus said, they could heal people in His name! They had all the time they needed with Jesus, because doing what He said made them closer to Him.

Getting chores over with is always better than putting them off!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me do what I'm asked, so I have free time afterward! Amen.