In today’s gospel, we hear that Jesus chooses ‘70 others’ and sends them out in pairs. Thirty-five couples or ‘pairs’ constitute a formidable resource for the mission. They are authorised to be bringers of peace and healing, proclaimers of God’s reign. They are to travel light and accept whatever hospitality is offered them.
Given the presence of women in the inner circle of Jesus’ followers (Luke 8:1-3), it is likely that at least some of these pairs were married couples. Further support for this comes from Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, which features a married couple, Priscilla and Aquila, as prominent itinerant missionary associates of Paul. They are Jewish refugees who find a home in Corinth in the aftermath of Claudius’ expulsion of the Jews from Rome. They are well established in Corinth as tent makers and offer hospitality to Paul when he comes to Corinth. When Paul leaves for Syria, they accompany him as far as Ephesus. In Ephesus, Priscilla is presented as a confident woman theologian who takes the initiative in calling aside the eloquent and well-educated Jewish teacher, Apollos of Alexandria, who has an ‘accurate’ but ‘incomplete’ knowledge of Jesus.
In our communities, there are faith-filled, talented, and courageous couples like Priscilla and Aquila, as well as countless single lay women and men, who are willing to commit their talents and personal resources for the sake of the mission. They need the authorisation of the present leadership and the unfailing support of the local communities.