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Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 91
In those days, the Israelites came to the desert of Sinai and pitched camp. While Israel was encamped here in front of the mountain, Moses went up the mountain to God. Then the LORD called to him and said, “Thus shall you say to the house of Jacob; tell the Israelites: You have seen for yourselves how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself. Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.”
R. (3c) We are his people: the sheep of his flock. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful song. R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock. Know that the LORD is God; he made us, his we are; his people, the flock he tends. R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock. The LORD is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. R. We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Brothers and sisters: Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel. R. Alleluia, alleluia.
At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon from Cana, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed him. Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Via USCCB
There is a profound rhythm in today’s readings that we often miss because we are so focused on "doing" things for God. Notice the order: first, God carries Israel on "eagle wings" (Exodus); second, Christ dies for us "while we were still sinners" (Romans); and only *then* does Jesus send the disciples out to work (Matthew). The core message is that mission always follows rescue. You cannot be a laborer in the harvest until you realize you were first a sheep who needed finding. God isn't looking for employees to earn a wage; He is looking for sons and daughters who are so overwhelmed by the free gift of grace that they can't help but share it.
Let’s look at this through a Character Study of the Twelve Apostles listed in the Gospel. It is a list of contradictions. You have Matthew (a tax collector collaborating with Rome) and Simon (a Zealot who wanted to violently overthrow Rome) walking side by side. If you feel unqualified to do God's work because you don't have it "all together," look at this group. Jesus didn’t wait for them to become perfect theologians or saints before sending them out to heal and cast out demons. He calls them by name in the midst of their messiness. Your brokenness doesn't disqualify you from usage; often, it’s exactly where God’s power shines through.
The 9:38 Alarm: Set a daily alarm on your phone for 9:38 (AM or PM) based on Matthew 9:38 ("Ask the master of the harvest..."). When it goes off, pray specifically for one person in your life who seems "troubled and abandoned," asking God to show you how to be a shepherd to them.
The "No Strings" Gift: Jesus says, "Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." Do one act of service this week-mowing a neighbor's lawn, buying coffee for a coworker, listening to a boring story-intentionally offering it with absolutely no expectation of thanks or repayment.
Looking back at a recent difficult season, can you identify a specific moment where God "carried you on eagle wings" when you couldn't walk on your own?
Jesus was "moved with pity" (literally, gut-wrenching compassion) for the crowd; what specific suffering or confusion in your local community breaks your heart right now?
St. Paul writes that Christ died for us while we were still "enemies." What shame or past mistake are you holding onto that you need to finally surrender to this radical, unearned love?
"The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few." If Jesus were to ask you to labor in one specific area of your life (family, work, parish) starting tomorrow, where would He point?
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