Cycle C - Year II:  

3 July 2022: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Isaiah 66:10-14

Second Reading:   Galatians 6:14-18

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

Continuing the Lord's saving work!

In the beginning there was One. And the One appointed the twelve; then the twelve continued the Lord's saving work in our generation. This is the story of the Church in brief.

By our baptism, we, too share in the saving mission of Christ and the Church. 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 is the gist of our Gospel narrative for this Sunday.  Recall that 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 so not yet missionaries themselves.

Jesus will now give them the "hands-on training" to prepare them for missionary work.  St, Luke recounts how Jesus appointed seventy-two of His disciples and sent them out on a mission to help prepare the way of His visit to various peoples and towns.

So Jesus prepares His disciples by giving them a sense of what to expect and do while on this mission.  He states clearly by telling them that the mission is not going to be easy. Some people will attack us; they will not be happy with what we believe and how we live as Jesus' disciples.  Jesus insists on a simple way of life for His disciples.  He wants us to avoid getting distracted by unimportant things so that we can focus on truly caring for people and sharing with them the great joy of knowing and loving Jesus Christ.

What is the impact of the Gospel reading for us today?  The following points maybe useful in our personal reflection.

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 laypeople like us.

In doing our own missionary work as lay people (and also for ordained ministers) let us heed and reflect on the advice and instruction of our Lord Jesus Himself to the first disciples:

First, Jesus tells the disciples 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 the mission He entrusts to us.

Second, the Lord gives us the power and authority to work wonder 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.  We must remember always that it is the Lord we are preaching, and not ourselves.

And 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?

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

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

Ad Jesum per Mariam!