Readings for Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9
The Prophet Hosea speaking with God’s voice uses the metaphor of a parent’s love for a child to express God’s love for the people of Israel and Ephraim. With love, says the prophet, God sees a child who turns away from their parent, turning their backs upon Him and sacrificing to other gods. In spite of this faithless behavior, Hosea’s oracle promises not to destroy them (again) by flames. (Note: in part d of v. 8 not included in the passage we read today, the prophet makes reference to Admah and Zeboiim: cities destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah (Deut 29:22)).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Psalm 80 is a communal lament. Here the community exalts the king who shepherds Israel with fidelity and calls upon God to continue to protect his special creation, the people he has called.
Gospel Matthew 10:7-15
The instructions to the Apostles as Jesus sends them on their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God are given. They are to go into the world without any provisions and will depend upon the generosity of others. The Lord gives them authority over all manner of diseases and afflictions but reminds them that they are not to charge for these gifts of healing.
Homily:
To those who reflect with me on a regular basis, I would ask how you did yesterday with bringing Christ’s love to one other person. We find it easy to remember because the topic of the Gospel focuses us on the same effort again today.
The message in the Gospel today, however, focuses not just on what the disciples were to do but what their own expectations were to be on their missionary journey. It begs us to ask the question: “What should we expect in return for proclaiming Christ, and him crucified?”
Should we expect to be raised on the shoulders of our brothers and sisters and given accolades for doing something grand? Should we expect to become wealthy beyond our wildest dreams for giving the gift of eternal life to those we encounter? If the world recognized what was being given to it, we certainly should expect that kind of a reward. After all, didn’t the Gospel tell us “The laborer deserves his keep”. But an earthly reward was not what the Lord was speaking of.
Let’s explore for a moment just what the message we bring might be and how it might be received. One example might be if we encountered a friend who was having difficulty because of bad choices they made in life, say a relationship was dissolving. We come with comfort and consolation and explain that even when everyone else has deserted us and left us alone, Christ will always be there loving us. The person is comforted for the moment. But if we go further and explain that this consolation requires them to perhaps repent from a promiscuous life style and give up hedonistic relationships that gratitude will evaporate like water on a hot rock. The message of love we bring without price has a “down side” for those who wish to embrace a secular life style and values.
How about one more? Let’s say a family member runs into difficulty at work and finds themselves in financial straights. We bring them the love of Christ by offering to share our resources – a loan and the offer of a place to stay. But if, during that difficult time we invite them back to Church if they have been away, watch out. They are likely to become suspicious and think there are strings on the love you have shown – “I have to go to Church to expect your help?”
No, the love of Christ, the message of the Kingdom of God and all that goes with it is not an easy message to bring. The world does not want to give up its love affair with itself and the “if it feels good do it” attitude. Having love and respect for others as the Lord teaches is not understood nor well received in most secular circles. But, as we hear once more today, it is what we are called to do.
Our prayer today is that we are able to accept our mission to be an example of God’s love to others. May we exude the calm of the peace of Christ in all our situations and, in keeping with our pledge to bring Christ to just one person today, may we find success in that effort with God’s help.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Exhortation of Christ to the Apostles” by James Tissot, 1886-96
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 Hosea 11:1-4, 8e-9
The Prophet Hosea speaking with God’s voice uses the metaphor of a parent’s love for a child to express God’s love for the people of Israel and Ephraim. With love, says the prophet, God sees a child who turns away from their parent, turning their backs upon Him and sacrificing to other gods. In spite of this faithless behavior, Hosea’s oracle promises not to destroy them (again) by flames. (Note: in part d of v. 8 not included in the passage we read today, the prophet makes reference to Admah and Zeboiim: cities destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah (Deut 29:22)).
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 80:2ac and 3b, 15-16
R. Let us see your face, Lord, and we shall be saved.
Psalm 80 is a communal lament. Here the community exalts the king who shepherds Israel with fidelity and calls upon God to continue to protect his special creation, the people he has called.
Gospel Matthew 10:7-15
The instructions to the Apostles as Jesus sends them on their mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God are given. They are to go into the world without any provisions and will depend upon the generosity of others. The Lord gives them authority over all manner of diseases and afflictions but reminds them that they are not to charge for these gifts of healing.
Homily:
To those who reflect with me on a regular basis, I would ask how you did yesterday with bringing Christ’s love to one other person. We find it easy to remember because the topic of the Gospel focuses us on the same effort again today.
The message in the Gospel today, however, focuses not just on what the disciples were to do but what their own expectations were to be on their missionary journey. It begs us to ask the question: “What should we expect in return for proclaiming Christ, and him crucified?”
Should we expect to be raised on the shoulders of our brothers and sisters and given accolades for doing something grand? Should we expect to become wealthy beyond our wildest dreams for giving the gift of eternal life to those we encounter? If the world recognized what was being given to it, we certainly should expect that kind of a reward. After all, didn’t the Gospel tell us “The laborer deserves his keep”. But an earthly reward was not what the Lord was speaking of.
Let’s explore for a moment just what the message we bring might be and how it might be received. One example might be if we encountered a friend who was having difficulty because of bad choices they made in life, say a relationship was dissolving. We come with comfort and consolation and explain that even when everyone else has deserted us and left us alone, Christ will always be there loving us. The person is comforted for the moment. But if we go further and explain that this consolation requires them to perhaps repent from a promiscuous life style and give up hedonistic relationships that gratitude will evaporate like water on a hot rock. The message of love we bring without price has a “down side” for those who wish to embrace a secular life style and values.
How about one more? Let’s say a family member runs into difficulty at work and finds themselves in financial straights. We bring them the love of Christ by offering to share our resources – a loan and the offer of a place to stay. But if, during that difficult time we invite them back to Church if they have been away, watch out. They are likely to become suspicious and think there are strings on the love you have shown – “I have to go to Church to expect your help?”
No, the love of Christ, the message of the Kingdom of God and all that goes with it is not an easy message to bring. The world does not want to give up its love affair with itself and the “if it feels good do it” attitude. Having love and respect for others as the Lord teaches is not understood nor well received in most secular circles. But, as we hear once more today, it is what we are called to do.
Our prayer today is that we are able to accept our mission to be an example of God’s love to others. May we exude the calm of the peace of Christ in all our situations and, in keeping with our pledge to bring Christ to just one person today, may we find success in that effort with God’s help.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Exhortation of Christ to the Apostles” by James Tissot, 1886-96
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