“Go and Proclaim…”

Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time/ July 08, 2020

Photo Credit: BellarmineForum.org

Gospel: Matthew 10: 1-7

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus summoned His twelve Apostles and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and cure every disease and every illness. He then, gave these instructions, “Go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

We can see in the Gospel that Jesus chose His ‘learners’ to be an ‘Apostle’- a person sent, and He share with them His own missionary journey. He chose them to be ‘masters and interpreters’ of the ways of God for man. So, “Discipleship” here is initiated by Jesus Christ himself, “It is not you, who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain” (John 15:16). It is not we who initiate to work for the Kingdom but Jesus Christ himself. We are chosen by Jesus to be part of His own missionary works. We only respond to the invitation and call of the Lord Jesus. As Jesus chose His Apostles one by one, we are also chosen by the Lord Jesus in a unique and special way. We are chosen to be part of His plan of salvation here on earth.

If you can see that Jesus chose simple people but dedicated in serving the Lord. Jesus did not chose the wise and the prudent, but those people who do not seek fame; the lowly and humble fishermen of Galilee, the tax collectors, and well known sinners. People who believe and trust only God. Jesus chose those people whom the world considers fools and ignorant, and sinners, so that the world may know that God is alive, and present, to shame the wise and those who reject the Gospel.

Friends, we are also chosen by the Lord Jesus in spite of our weaknesses and failures. But the Lord do not look our being sinfulness, our being a failure, but He looks our capacity, and courage to start again everyday whenever we fall on the ground. May we have always the courage to follow the footsteps of the Lord Jesus and become His true disciple, so that we may glorify Him, and become channels of love and mercy.

Prayer: Abba, thank You for choosing us to become Your bearer of the Gospel – Jesus Christ. May we always be faithful in our works of charity, towards our brothers and sisters. May we become channels of Your love and mercy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son who lives with You in unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.

“Ask the Master to send laborers into His vineyard”

Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time/ July 07, 2020

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Gospel: Matthew 9:32-38

Friends, in today’s Gospel after Jesus cured a mute person who was possessed by a demon. Then, He went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom and curing every disease and illness. His heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then, He said to His disciples that ‘the harvest is abundant but the laborers are few, so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

His heart was moved with pity on them (He had compassion). Why Jesus’ heart was so moved with pity? It is because they were troubled and abandoned like sheep without a shepherd. And who abandoned them? According to Saint Peter Chrysologus, the pharisees abandoned them. “They indeed were their shepherds. But they acted the part of ravenous wolves, not only neglecting to lead the people to virtue, but even hindering, as much as they could, their advancement in good, for when the admiring multitude cried out, “never did the like appear in Israel!” they immediately decried it, saying, “by the prince of devils Jesus cast out devils.”

And because of these, Jesus himself asked His disciples to pray to the master for ‘there are many abandoned people, people who are troubled, afraid, losing hope, losing courage, people who are sick and suffering, people who are getting way from God. Jesus asked them to pray so that the master will send many laborers to lead, to harvest, to help those who are in need, to care for the least, lost, and abandoned, to help carry their cross, and to help them in their sufferings, burdens, and heavy loads.

Friends, like the disciples, we are also called by the Lord Jesus to ask the master ‘to send’ laborers in His vineyard. We are asked by the Lord to help harvest the fruits in His Vineyard. The fruits are already ripe, we just need to be ‘available’ and aid. Are we available to become worker in the Lord’s vineyard?

PRayer: Abba, our Merciful Father, You send us Jesus who is our Model and Master in Your vineyard. May we who follow in His footsteps, reap a harvest full of love, mercy and compassion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Your Son who lives with You in unity of the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever. Amen.