This Sunday’s liturgy reminds us that we are called to share in the Kingdom of God
Reflections on the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 3, 2022): IS 66:10-14; PS 66:1-3,4-5,6-7,16,20; GAL 6:14-18; LK 10:1-12,17-20
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
.Jesus prepared His Apostles and disciples to spread the Good News. This is the call of all Christians.
In today’s Old Testament reading, we learn about the joy of the Jewish people who returned to Jerusalem at the end of their Babylonian captivity. After all their suffering, we hear the affirming, tender words of the Almighty toward His children, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. … The Lord’s power shall be made known to His servants” (Isaiah 66:13,14). In the Gospel according to St. Luke, we hear more about rejoicing when the seventy-two disciples return from their mission of sharing the compassion of Christ with those who do not yet know Him.
In the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, however, we hear his concern for members of the Body of Christ. Only in Him will they find new freedom. Paul lets them know how to express their faith in Jesus: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation. Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:14-17). Paul wants new Christians, many of whom had converted from Judaism, to understand that while they should respect the Hebrew Scriptures, they are no longer bound by its laws, such as those regarding circumcision. Only through the death and Resurrection of Jesus can we find truth, joy, and salvation. Only Christ redeems us and only by following in His way can we discover the Kingdom of God and share it with others. Throughout His public years preaching and healing, Jesus prepared His Apostles and disciples to spread the Good News. This is the call of all Christians. We have no right to hold on to our faith without sharing it. Instead, we must reach out to others. While we may not be chosen to be missionaries like St. Paul, we all have opportunities every day to show the light of Christ to those around us in our words and actions, and always, in love.
Suggested missionary action: We can ask Christ to bless and help the Church’s missionaries and the many people around the globe that they assist in both spiritual and material ways. We can also share His profound love through our kind words, and faithful example.
