Cycle C - Year II:

3 July 2016: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical color: Green)

Gospel: Please read Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Sharing the Good News!

Having just elected our new leaders, we now look forward to how they will actually lead us in the next six years of our collective journey as a nation.

As a post-election reflection, perhaps it is useful to validate our basis for choosing our new leaders. It goes back to our very basic understanding of what it takes to be a leader.

For example, are leaders really born, or they are trained and developed over time, sometimes by special circumstances in their lives? It depends on our own human experience of leadership.

In the corporate world one effective way of developing future leaders is through an on-the-job training of those with leadership potentials (and credentials) where their leadership skills may be harnessed through hands-on experience.

There is a similar training program in formative years of those aspiring to be religious missionaries. It is called "regency" where seminarians interrupt their academic formation and sent on the field to have an actual experience of various mission works undertaken by the congregation they belong.

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself was the formator of the first Apostles. Thus far, from the day they were recruited the twelve Apostles have been following our Lord from place to place, witnessing the miracles He performed and listening and learning from His preaching. But they were just followers, and not yet missionaries themselves.

In the Gospel narrative this Sunday, Jesus will now give them the "hands-on" training to prepare them for missionary work. Jesus tells them to go out on their own and work their own miracles in His name. And like Jesus, they are to give up their families and lead itinerant lifestyle, traveling from place to place to preach and share the Good News of the kingdom of God and work wonders in Jesus' name. Thus, Jesus gives His Apostles both the power and authority to speak and act in His name.

What is the impact of the Gospel reading for us today? The following points for personal reflection may be useful.

The mission of the twelve Apostle is carried on today by their successors: the bishops and all ordained ministers, religious men and women, and even lay people like us. Because by virtue of our baptism, we lay people are also sent to bear witness to Christ in word and deed.

In doing our own missionary work as lay people, and also for ordained ministers, let us heed the reflect on Jesus' advice and instructions to the first Apostles.

First, Jesus tells His Apostles to "travel light", meaning with little or no provision at all. Because "poverty of spirit" frees us from greed and preoccupation with material possessions and thus makes ample room for God's provision instead. In other words, we must trust and depend on God rather than on ourselves.

Second, the Lord gives us the power and authority to work wonders in His name. But also He wants us to use this power and authority with love and humility, and always for the good of others. Remember always that it is the Lord we preach, not ourselves.

And last (but not least), Jesus entrusts us with His gifts and talents to continue His saving works in our times. Are we ready and eager to place ourselves at God's service, to do whatever He tells us to do, to witness His truth and saving power to whomever our Lord sends us?

In the Eucharist at Holy Mass, let us pray: Lord, make me a channel of Your grace and healing love that others may find life and freedom in You. Free me from all attachments that I may pursue the things of heaven without distraction. May I truly witness the joy of the Gospel, both in my word and in my deed. Amen.

A blessed Sunday to us all. And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!