Cycle C - Year I:

7 July 2019: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading: Isaiah 66:10-14c

Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18

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

Sharing in the Lord's saving work!

Do we always need a leader? Or is it possible that people maybe drawn together to action with a shared vision? Remember the People Power phenomenon? It is said that no single personality can really claim credit for that historical event. Because it was an spontaneous reaction of our people fed up with martial rule.

In the realm of religion, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has spoken of the "church, the people of God throughout the world, united in faith and love and empowered by the Spirit to bear witness to the risen Christ to the ends of the earth."

Thus, the Church teaches that we are all leaders and share in the saving mission of Christ and the Church. So in other words, the task of preaching the Gospel is not confined to the twelve apostles but a mission given to all of Jesus' disciples even to our generation.

This leads us to the Gospel narrative for this Sunday. 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.

Jesus will now give them the "hands-on training to prepare them for missionary work. So 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. The Apostles were given both the power and authority to speak and act in Jesus' name by the Lord Himself.

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 Apostles 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 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 and reflect on the advice and instructions of our Lord Jesus Himself to the first Apostles.

First, Jesus tells the 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 in doing His mission.

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, and not ourselves.

And finally, although not the last, Jesus entrusts us with His gifts and talents to continue His saving work 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 Jesus Christ sends us?

In the Eucharist at 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!