13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

HAPPY 4th of JULY – GOD BLESS AMERICA

Jesus, knowing that His life on earth would end,  chose apostles whom he would send out in His name to continue His mission.  He tells them that: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

The Church of Matthew’s time, after the destruction of the Temple in A.D. 70, particularly needed to hear what Jesus had to say about continuing His mission in their own day.  Yet these instructions directed to the twelve apostles continue to have relevance in our day as we carry on the mission given Jesus by the Father.

In todays Gospel, Jesus assures His disciple that they will suffer as a result of knowing Him.  As Jesus would experience persecution and rejection, so His disciples would experience comparable pain.  The suffering would involve persecution from both religious and secular authorities as well as resistance and division within families.   Jesus urges His followers not to be afraid of their persecutors, but to trust in God’s care for them.  Taking up  the cross and even losing one’s life for Jesus will be rewarded with everlasting life in the kingdom

We are His apostles and disciples today.  Jesus is with us and strengthens us for our mission as His Church.  May God help each of us to feel His peace and strength.  May God give us the grace to trust Him each day.  May God guide us in this life to the everlasting life of Heaven.

 

 

 

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

Today’s reading can be difficult to understand and apply.  Think of it this way.  Even though we have been equipped by the Holy Spirit to carry out the work of Jesus, this does not mean that it will always be smooth sailing.  We may encounter opposition, even from those closest to us.  But whatever the cause of our difficulties, Jesus wants us to keep a few things in mind.  First of all,  he assures us of God’s care.  God cares even for sparrows, and we are worth more in His sight than sparrows.

Second, it will help if we have the right attitude towards difficulties and set back.  We are disciples of a Jesus who laid down His life for us.  Whatever  might happen to us, no matter how painful, is simply an aspect off our following in His footsteps and thereby finding life.

Third, Jesus asks us to be mindful of other followers, particularly when they are facing difficulty.  Even meeting their simplest needs serves Jesus.

Finally, “Do not be afraid.”
Ever!
Jesus is always with us.

Taking up the cross and even losing one’s life for Jesus will be rewarded with everlasting life in the Kingdom.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell

 

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted on by Cassie

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

This week we return to Ordinary Time for our Sunday liturgy.  We go back to Matthew’s Gospel and pick up this year’s walk through his Gospel.  The Gospel of Matthew is distinctive for its practice of citing the Old Testament in  connection with Jesus’ activity and teaching.  The Gospel is also known for a structured presentation of Jesus’ doctrine in the form of sermons or discourses.   Each discourse is followed by collections of miracle accounts and incidents which reflect Jesus’ doctrinal teaching.

On this 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time we pick up Matthew’s narrative with Jesus’ discourse to His  apostles concerning their mission.  They are to  proclaim what Jesus proclaimed: ”The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”  They are to do what Jesus did: cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons.  He tells His apostles that their mission was to be directed “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”.

Jesus wants to restore God’s flock and give them guiding shepherds.  He does so by choosing the “twelve.”  The twelve apostles were appointed and instructed so that the people of God would be renewed and shepherded.  Jesus sends out His disciples as laborers to bring in the abundant harvest of God’s restored people.

Matthew is telling his community that they, the Church, are to carry on Jesus’ work, we are to imitate Him in our service.  We are not only to minister to those in need, but to do so out of compassion and love.

God Bless

Msgr. Powell