SUNDAY, ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
Ex 19: 2-6 Ps 100: 1-3, 5 Rom 5: 6-11 Mt 9:36–10:8
MISSIONARY DISCIPLES
Jesus sends out the twelve apostles to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Paul says in the second reading, “that while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly”. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. And though Christ completed His work of redemption, he entrusted the proclamation of the Kingdom of heaven to his apostles.
Two thousand years after Jesus who came to seek and save his people, there are still lost sheep out there. And the work entrusted to His apostles is not yet complete. But this has been passed on from generation to generation for us to participate in. But who are these lost sheep. Each of us, each one of us, is that little lost lamb, the coin that was mislaid; each one of us is that son who has squandered his freedom on false idols, illusions of happiness, and has lost everything. But God does not forget us, the Father never abandons us. He is a patient father, always waiting for us! (Homily of Pope Francis on Lk 15, 15-Sep-2013) And while we were still lost, while we were still weak, and were unable to reach God because our own weakness, Christ died for us, reconciling us to the Father and saving us by His life. We can now rejoice in God (Rom 5:11) for this amazing blessing we have received. It is this joy in being found that Jesus calls us on to share with others. Let’s take time to recognize our weakness and what Christ has done for us in uniting us back to the Father. This recognition brings us joy that is everlasting. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (Jn 15:11)
As Jesus sent his apostles to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and to share their joy with others, we are also being sent out by the same Lord. But sometimes we feel unequipped or unsure and even at times totally afraid if we are to really proclaim the Kingdom of heaven publicly before others, who watch us, who judge us, who ridicule us, or to embrace the easy option of keeping the faith silently unto ourselves without taking the risk of openly living it, much less proclaiming it. If we feel like this, let us take some encouragement from what Pope Fracis would say: In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries”, but rather that we are always “missionary disciples”. (Evangelii Gaudium, section 120) This said experience of the love of God is so powerful that it can turn even a highly timid individual into a powerful and bold proclaimer of God’s immense love. This experience happens most often in prayer. We are called and welcomed to encounter the love and blessing of God every time we come to prayer. The biblical incident of Jacob wrestling with the angel of God and Jacob’s demand that “I will not let you go, unless you bless me” (Gen 32:26) is deeply inspiring. Looking at it from a different perspective, we cannot but notice that God wants to bless us and meet us where we are. Let us take heart in this truth, even if the world and the devil tempt us to doubt this.
Today’s Gospel opens with “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Mt 9:37). Jesus invites you to be that laborer and proclaim his work of salvation. The best part of this invitation for us today is that as Jesus sends us out, He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us. Let us begin to lean on the Holy Spirit and begin to share the joy we receive from our own relationship with Jesus to one another, both in words and actions. Let us boldly practice being “missionary disciples.” In the end, the harvest belongs to God, and He alone gives growth. Our task is to answer His call with trust and generosity. If we stay close to Christ in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, then even our small acts of witness can bear fruit. So let us go forth as joyful laborers, carrying not our own message, but the good news that the Kingdom of heaven is truly at hand.
Response: We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
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Thank you for your beautiful and encouraging reflections. Your message is truly deep, practical, and spiritually enriching. It speaks to the hearts of those who, like Nicodemus, are searching for truth and meaning in life.
I sincerely appreciate your ministry and the way you continue to evangelize with clarity, compassion, and authenticity. Your work is making a difference in the lives of many.
May God continue to bless and strengthen you as you share the gift of living water with the world. 🙏
Thank you.