Gospel Reflection June 14 – Fr. Black
Sunday, June 14
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 9:36-10:8
Gospel:
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
Jesus recognized that the people were troubled and abandoned. He recognized that they needed someone to reassure them and direct them. As shepherd, he knew that it would be Him. So he took charge. Summoning the 12 disciples, He sent them to act in His name. His instructions were clear, go to the lost sheep. Healing in many ways, is what Jesus told them to do. Before they could eventually become His followers, their immediate pain needed comforting. This was Jesus’ main concern. Get them to a place of comfort, a place of security. Then teach them, then challenge them. Then, they will return to the fold and become His disciples.
Father Black